Causes of the French Revolution
Rule of Louis XVI (16th century):
In the 17th century, France had developed to become the "most important country in Europe" (King&Leung, 2010). However, Louis XVI became the king in 1774 . He was an absolute weak monarch, and was controlled by his wife named Queen Marie Antoinette, who wasted an immense amount of money on fashion and was extremely hated for overspending. He had no interest in politics, was indecisive and incapable of ruling, leading to an inefficient and corrupt government (prezi.com, 2013).
Influence of Enlightenment:
Being the centre of enlightenment by the late 18th century, most people from France had read writings of Rousseau, Montesquieu and and Voltaire. Rousseau supported the notion that the basic requirement of a government should be people forming a social contract to provide good for the society, Montesquieu supported the idea of a divided government and Voltaire encouraged freedom of speech and religious freedom (voices.yahoo.com, 2009). People learnt a lot about Enlightenment ideas (e.g. rights to rebel against tyranny), and began challenging the absolute right to rule.
Influence of American Revolution:
When the France sent troops and supplies to help the revolutionaries in America, this led to an introduction of revolutionary ideas. Common people started to realize that they could overthrow tyranny if they worked together, and that liberal freedom for them was possible. After U.S.A was born, the American Revolution became a huge motivation to the French to start their own revolution (mtholyoke.edu, n.d.).
In the 17th century, France had developed to become the "most important country in Europe" (King&Leung, 2010). However, Louis XVI became the king in 1774 . He was an absolute weak monarch, and was controlled by his wife named Queen Marie Antoinette, who wasted an immense amount of money on fashion and was extremely hated for overspending. He had no interest in politics, was indecisive and incapable of ruling, leading to an inefficient and corrupt government (prezi.com, 2013).
Influence of Enlightenment:
Being the centre of enlightenment by the late 18th century, most people from France had read writings of Rousseau, Montesquieu and and Voltaire. Rousseau supported the notion that the basic requirement of a government should be people forming a social contract to provide good for the society, Montesquieu supported the idea of a divided government and Voltaire encouraged freedom of speech and religious freedom (voices.yahoo.com, 2009). People learnt a lot about Enlightenment ideas (e.g. rights to rebel against tyranny), and began challenging the absolute right to rule.
Influence of American Revolution:
When the France sent troops and supplies to help the revolutionaries in America, this led to an introduction of revolutionary ideas. Common people started to realize that they could overthrow tyranny if they worked together, and that liberal freedom for them was possible. After U.S.A was born, the American Revolution became a huge motivation to the French to start their own revolution (mtholyoke.edu, n.d.).
What type of change did the French Revolution bring?
The French Revolution was a period where major changes took place in France . It happened between 1789 and 1799 and had profound political, social and economic effects on France (global.britannica.com, 2013).
Before the French Revolution, France was a monarchy, meaning a hereditary rule. The Revolution abolished monarchy by guillotining their king, Louis XVI and introduced the concept of a Republic (historywiz.com, 2008). A document called "Declaration of the Rights of Man" was formed, and it threatened every other monarchy in Europe. By introducing democracy, they allowed a number of citizens to chose the leader.
During the 18th century, France was plagued with social inequality. During the time period before the Revolution, France was ruled by Bourbons, who were members of French royal families (dictionary.reference.com, 2014). The Bourbons divided society into three classes according to the Ancien Regime System: the First Estate, the Second Estate and the Third Estate (bastille-day.com, 2012). About 97%, of France's inhabitants in 1789 were poor farmers and peasants (studymode.com, 2013). People were divided into three Estates, the first Estate (King and Clergy), the second Estate (nobility) and the third Estate (peasants, farmers etc.). It was near impossible to change to another Estate as you were born with your title linked to the Estate (chnm.gmu.edu,n.d.).
During the 18th century, France was plagued with social inequality. During the time period before the Revolution, France was ruled by Bourbons, who were members of French royal families (dictionary.reference.com, 2014). The Bourbons divided society into three classes according to the Ancien Regime System: the First Estate, the Second Estate and the Third Estate (bastille-day.com, 2012). About 97%, of France's inhabitants in 1789 were poor farmers and peasants (studymode.com, 2013). People were divided into three Estates, the first Estate (King and Clergy), the second Estate (nobility) and the third Estate (peasants, farmers etc.). It was near impossible to change to another Estate as you were born with your title linked to the Estate (chnm.gmu.edu,n.d.).
In general, the First and Second Estate were the ruling class, and consisted of only approximately 3% of the entire French population. They enjoyed political and economical privileges, did not have to pay taxes and led a luxurious life. Meanwhile, the third Estate led the hardest lives, working day and night, paying heavy taxes to the Christian Church yet receiving near nothing in return. Also, whenever the three Estates had a meeting, each Estate was only allowed one vote. The First and Second Estate would always vote for the same side, so the Third Estate always ended up with no choice but to follow the other Estates (prezi.com, 2013). Such unfair social inequalities and class divisions angered the common people from the third Estate, thus causing discontent and leading to the French revolution. With such state of a country, it was quite impossible for a revolt not to happen. Offices were open to the most talented after the Revolution, providing them with opportunities.
The final major change was economic. Before the French revolution, 90% of the peasant lived with substandard conditions, and only earned enough to feed their families (chnm.gmu.edu,n.d.) King Louis XIV and his wife lived extravagantly, leading to spendings of reckless money. Also, during 1756-1783, France built an enormous debt due to it's participation in the Seven Years' War and the American Revolution. As a supporter of the pro-independence fighters, King decided to build an efficient, strong army to rival the English army (sparknotes.com, 2014). Although this played a major role in victory of the fighters, this caused the French Monarchy's budge to rapidly dry up. In 1774, King Louis XVI ended up taking the throne, but was unable to solve the massive economical problems. Bad harvests in 1788-1789 also led to food shortages, increased food prices and an economic slowdown. By 1789, the French government had almost gone bankrupt (King&Leung, 2010). In this aspect change was brought on several levels.
Firstly, the newly established government who was in command had to make sure money was dealt with properly, or else disorder would ensue and the economy would collapse. It almost did, especially when the wars began after 1792. However, the Bank of France was established under Napoleon and ultimately the economy was reformed (user.idworld.net, 1997).
The final major change was economic. Before the French revolution, 90% of the peasant lived with substandard conditions, and only earned enough to feed their families (chnm.gmu.edu,n.d.) King Louis XIV and his wife lived extravagantly, leading to spendings of reckless money. Also, during 1756-1783, France built an enormous debt due to it's participation in the Seven Years' War and the American Revolution. As a supporter of the pro-independence fighters, King decided to build an efficient, strong army to rival the English army (sparknotes.com, 2014). Although this played a major role in victory of the fighters, this caused the French Monarchy's budge to rapidly dry up. In 1774, King Louis XVI ended up taking the throne, but was unable to solve the massive economical problems. Bad harvests in 1788-1789 also led to food shortages, increased food prices and an economic slowdown. By 1789, the French government had almost gone bankrupt (King&Leung, 2010). In this aspect change was brought on several levels.
Firstly, the newly established government who was in command had to make sure money was dealt with properly, or else disorder would ensue and the economy would collapse. It almost did, especially when the wars began after 1792. However, the Bank of France was established under Napoleon and ultimately the economy was reformed (user.idworld.net, 1997).