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The French Revolution And The Revolution

Decent Essays

French Revolution

As the Enlightenment began in the middle of the 17th century, people began to use reason rather than stick to tradition. New Enlightenment ideas spread throughout Europe such as ideas on government. Enlightenment thinkers such as Rousenan believed that the best government was one formed with the general consent of the people. Other Enlightenment thinkers such as Voltaire and Montesquieu believed in freedom of speech and a separation of power within the government. All of these ideas led to the French revolution. During the time period France was still an absolute monarchy under King Louis XVI, causing people to want change by implying new Enlightenment ideas. The revolution in France broke out in 1789 do to social, economical, and political issues including the growth of bourgeoisies, taxes were paid unevenly throughout the three Estates of France, and the Third Estate’s desire for a representative government.
One of the many social issues that led to the French revolution was the growth of bourgeoisies in France. Bourgeoisies were middle class workers who were able to read and write but ended up paying all of the taxes in France. With the literary skills, the bourgeoisies read and understood Enlightenment ideas on government. The French people wanted a government in which their voice was heard instead of the First and Second Estates. Historian Albert Mathiez claims that the middle class would have to be the ones to affect change in France based off

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