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Discuss The Reasons Behind The French Revolution.

The French Revolution was caused by growing social and economic inequality, exacerbated by heavy taxes imposed on the common people to support the lavish lifestyles of the nobility and clergy. French society was divided into estates, with the first two estates (nobility and clergy) exempted from most taxes while the third estate (commoners) faced increasingly high taxes. Meanwhile, several bad harvests led to food shortages and rising prices that hurt the common people. The call for political reform and adoption of more liberal ideas further fueled unrest until the revolution erupted in 1789 with the storming of the Bastille.

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34 views

Discuss The Reasons Behind The French Revolution.

The French Revolution was caused by growing social and economic inequality, exacerbated by heavy taxes imposed on the common people to support the lavish lifestyles of the nobility and clergy. French society was divided into estates, with the first two estates (nobility and clergy) exempted from most taxes while the third estate (commoners) faced increasingly high taxes. Meanwhile, several bad harvests led to food shortages and rising prices that hurt the common people. The call for political reform and adoption of more liberal ideas further fueled unrest until the revolution erupted in 1789 with the storming of the Bastille.

Uploaded by

hhn8kcydwb
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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. Discuss the reasons behind the French Revolution.

Ans : French Revolution, also known as the Revolution of 1789, was a period of social and
political upheaval in France and its colonies. It was inspired by liberal and radical ideas. The
overthrow of the monarchy helped in working out the scenario of overthrowing absolute
monarchies in other parts of Europe. This revolution has put forward the ideas of liberty,
fraternity, and equality. The Revolution escalated on 14th July 1789, in Paris with the storming of
the Bastille, which was a symbol of the repressive power of the king.
The involvement of the French in the American Revolution of 1776 acted as a catalyst for the
costly affair, which left the French in a state of near bankruptcy; along with the extravagant
spending of King Loius. Three factors acted together- Poor harvests, empty royal coffers, and a
rise in food prices creating a sense of unrest among the poor rural and urban populace. The
imposition of high taxes further escalated the scenario. Looting, rioting, and general strikes as a
result became a norm.

By the end of 1786, a universal tax was proposed by controller general, Charles Alexandre de
Calonne. This tax reform could no further exempt the privileged classes, as was the case many
years previously. The king summoned Estate- General, to pass these measures. Estate General
was an assembly that represented the French nobility clergy and the middle class.

Causes of the French Revolution

Social Causes
● French society in the 18th century was divided into three estates: the clergy, the nobility,
and the commoners.
● The people of the first two estates were auspicious by birth. Peasants manufactured up
1
●
about 90 of the population, even so, exclusively a negligible composition of them
possessed the land they acquired. About 60% of the land was owned by the nobles and
the church which they leased to farmers for a greater share in the production.
● Peasants were obliged to serve the lord for free—to serve in the army, work in their homes
and fields, or participate in constructing roads.
● The social conditions in France in the late 18th century were very unequal and exploitative.
The first two estates were exempted to pay taxes to the state. The Third Estate was
burdened with excessive taxes with no political and social rights. As a result, they were
extremely discontent.
Economic Causes
● The French economy was based on land revenue and the feudal system.
● During Louis XVI, France owed 2 billion liver (French currency) in debt (debt).
● The jurisdiction re-collected massive taxes from the Third Estate.
● These included an immediate tax, called a tail, and several circular taxes which were
written on the details of general consumption.
● The first two estates were exempted from payment.
● The population of France pumped up from around 23 million in 1715 to 28 million in 1789.
This increased the demand for food grains. However, the production could not keep pace
with the demand, which eventually increased the prices of food grains.
● Most workers worked as laborers in workshops and did not see a rise in their wages.
● The situation worsened due to the drought, which reduced the crop. This led to a shortage
of food grains or a subsistence crisis which started happening frequently during the old
regime.
Political Causes
● In 1774, Louis XVI of the Bourbon blood of monarchs aspired to the throne of France.
● He was 20 when he wedded Marie Antoinette, the Austrian monarch who consistently
interposed in the authority.
● He ruled as an absolute emperor.
● He maintained a giant army and built a large extravagant court in the huge Palace of
Versailles, which ended the wealth of France.
Intellectual Causes
● The 18th Century was marked by a conscious refusal by French thinkers of “Divine Rights
Theory”.
● Philosophers like Rousseau rejected the paradigm of absolute Monarchy and promulgated
the idea of equality of man and sovereignty of people. Played an important role in exposing
the faults of the old regime and articulation of discontent of the people.
. Make a list of taxes which the people of India have to pay to the Government. Do you
. Make a list of taxes which the people of India have to pay to the Government. Do you
find any different between the current Indian and the French tax system of 1789.
Ans :

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