The three most important causes for the French revolution were the rising prices of food due to tallies and feudal taxes, the ideas of the Enlightenment and the demand of the Third Estate for equal representation in the government. Though these causes are all different they are all interconnected leading to French revolution. First of all, let me start from the information given in document 1, which tells us that the prices of bread have been raised above the ability of peasants to pay. The poor people had no money to buy their food and their children were terribly ragged. There were many instances of riots in the market places for food and the military was called to stop these riots and disturbances. The bad weather lead to bad harvest which in turn led to unemployment and people had to starve. People were not happy with French government because of the heavy taxes and feudal dues laid on the common man leading to poverty and food problems which were effecting the working class. The injustice of unequal distribution of taxes among the nobility and common man was so obviously seen, leading to dissatisfaction among the common man. Also from the information in document 2, we see that the third estate consisting of 98% of population owned …show more content…
From document 4 it is clear, that the common man who was suffering for many years and was looking at the changes that are taking place around him and started thinking about the natural rights. The working class started to read and with the ideas of new philosophies and the declaration of American Independence ignited the spark in the middle class which decided to revolt against the French government according to the document 5. It was the idea of the American Revolution which had a major impact on the third estate which caused the French revolution. The American and French revolution changed the governments of the world which created many forms of
Before the revolution France was ruled under the Ancien Regime system, meaning the country and all its people were under the reign of an absolute monarch. This was a tradition that had been upheld through the years and the Royal family had enjoyed a life funded by the people of France, the royal family’s lifestyle unaffected by the situation outside their palace. The Palace, Versailles, was built by king Louis XIV and the expenses for building this “village” was very high, and in later years the cost for its upkeep would play a significant role in Frances financial difficulties. In order for these difficulties to be overcome France needed a tax reform. The government had a very high tax rate on the poorest of their people, the Third Estate, and they were still not getting enough money to get out of their
The French Revolution of 1789 had many long-range causes. Political, social, and economic conditions in France mad many French people discontented. Most disaffected were merchants, artisans, workers, and peasants. The ideas of the Enlightenment thinkers brought new views of government and society. The American Revolution also influenced the coming of The French Revolution. Therefore, The French Revolution of 1789 had several causes not only due to political, but also due to social and economic issues and problems as well that made France ripe for revolution. The most important long-range causes of this revolution, however, were the ideas of the Enlightenment, the unfair taxes, the gap between the rich and poor, and the American Revolution
The Enlightenment influence made a monumental impact on the French Revolution. For example, the impact the Enlightenment had on the American Revolution influenced the French Revolution. Considering the French Revolution occurred quickly after the American Revolution, and the French contributed greatly to the funds, the French people were very aware that they could attain freedom from their monarchs (Document 5). Along with this, Marquis de Lafayette partially wrote The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, and he was a military officer in the Revolutionary War. Natural rights was another major factor in terms of inspiring the French Revolution. List of cahiers shows the grievances against the King, and requesting that their are rights and equality
There were much more causes to the French Revolution but in this response I will only be explaining 3 of those causes. The French Revolution was caused by many things and one of those things were the corrupt political & social system. The French Monarchs which are apart of the political system had unlimited power and declared them as the representation of god. According to document 7 the french monarchs which is apart of the first estate treated the 3rd estate like the dirt under there feet because they had no sympathy for the commoners.
In document 3 and document 4 both show why the French Revolution started. Document 3 states “In the south of France there is a tallie… Lands held by the nobility are taxed very little. Lands held by commoners are taxed very heavilty…”. This proves that the third estate, commoners, were taxed greatly. Also, in document 3 it states “The poor people seem very poor indeed. The children are terribly ragged.” and “The tailless and feudal dues [rents owed to the landlords] are crushing us.” both state that the commoners are barely able to get by with all of the taxes that they are required to pay. In document 4 the image shows men from the first estate and the second estate standing on a rock while a man from the third estate is lying on the ground looking like he is in pain. This is showing that the government is strong like a rock, but it is not strong enough to hold the third estates man too. Conc. Sent.
The Declaration of Independence, which talked about Independence sparked the French Revolution. From the Declaration of Independence, French citizens realized how much better they could be treated and thus wanted to follow the American’s example of how their citizens were being treated. A quote from Albert Mathiez is, ‘The Revolution had been accomplished in the minds of men long before it was translated into fact…’ (Document 7). Another quote that goes with this subject from Lord Acton is, ‘…the spark that changed thought into action was supplied by the Declaration of Independence…The American example caused the Revolution to break out…” (Document 7). Those two quotes show how the French wanted to gain more independence and to have more rights. The Declaration of Independence helped them to do that. Also, it is shown from another quote from document 7, that since the lower class had a very low literacy rate, the upper classes helped them gain more independence and rights. The quote from Document 7 is, ‘The Revolution came from them-the middle class. The working classes were incapable of starting or controlling the Revolution. They were just beginning to learn to read’ (Document
During the 18th century, the majority of French citizens were not satisfied with their country. The poor decisions made by French monarchs led citizens to resent the absolute power and the policies of the French government. The citizens also deemed the government’s extremely high taxes and raising of food prices unreasonable. Raised food prices and poor harvests left the agricultural sector of France in a state of economic depression. The French took inspiration for their revolution from newly created Enlightenment principles as well as the recently successful American Revolution. All of these factors contributed to causing the French Revolution, however the most significant cause of the French Revolution was the suppression
The French Revolution occurred from 1789 to 1799. A major issue during this time period in France was social classes, which included the First, Second, and Third Estate. The First and Second Estate had freedom, rights, and equality while the Third Estate had almost nothing. Third Estate got no recognition for their work, while the French Church had problems with voting, and salaries. The Third Estate formed the National Assembly to write The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen and The Civil Constitution of the Clergy. They wrote them to help fix the problems that caused the revolution. The causes of the French revolution are the French Church, the inequality of the Estates, and the minimal freedom and rights that the Third Estate has.
The French Revolution is said to have a number of causes. It was a period of far-reaching social and political upheaval in France that lasted from 1789 until 1799, and was partially carried forward by Napoleon during the later expansion of the empire. The main causes of the French Revolution was the political, economic, and social problems happening in the society during this time. One of the causes of the French Revolution of the political tension going on during the time.
The French revolution was the darkest time period in France’s history. Around 40,000 people died in an attempt to reform the French society. Many factors contributed to the start of the French revolution – factors such as social, economic and political.
Revolutions are a time of rebellion where those go against the government and demand reform or change. No matter what reforms were made, revolutions tend to have very similar causes such as unfairness between government and citizens, social inequality, and other revolutions and documents declaring independence, rights, or reform. The three main causes of the French Revolution were social inequality, unfair tax systems, and America’s reforms such as the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence.
The French Revolution was a monumental historical event. Somehow, however, the causes of this conflict are often forgotten among all of the chaotic events. However, the causes of this revolution are exactly what will be discussed in this essay. The three most paramount issues which caused the French Revolution were the inequality in estates, the ignorance of King Louis XVI, and the political system.
There were many causes and different events that lead up to the French Revolution in July 14, 1789. Therefore, having economic conflict being the main cause of the French Revolution there was financial difficulties, debts, and also poor harvest. These all had a huge impact because it led to most people not doing much of their work which caused hunger throughout the French Revolution.
The French were inspired by what they witnessed while serving as soldiers in the American Revolution, they returned home with the mentality of individual freedom. Like the American Revolution, believed to have been started as a result of the Stamp Act, the French Revolution was also believed to have been started over taxation of its people yet those of royalty were exempt from such taxes. France was in a serious financial bind, their Kings proved to be useless to the French people, it became a war of Kings versus the people, the result of this conflict led to the establishment of the National Assembly. This Assembly was to write a new constitution for the people but the King wanted no such thing, at this point things became even uglier and the people began to revolt, pheasants began their revolution against the State. The Assembly eventually developed the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, however, similar to the American Declaration of Independence, the French’s declaration did not help those that needed it most.
Three Main Causes of the French Revolution When there is a lack of liberty, freedom, and equality in one’s country, there is a calling, a calling for Revolution. This call occurred in France during 1789, and the citizens of France revolted against their horrible king, Louis XVI. The French Revolution went from 1789 to 1815, ending with the abdication of Napoleon Bonaparte, and was one of the bloodiest events that ever went down in history. The French Revolution is divided into four stages: The Moderate Stage, The Radical Stage, The Directory, and the Age of Napoleon. In the end, The French Revolution resulted in the abolishment of feudalism, the consolidation of social order and contractual relations, and the increase of nationalism.