What were the causes of French revolution?
The time when french was under financial crisis due to war at that time, monarch started showing exploitative nature of tax collection especially from lower class of people for eg. wage labourer, small bussinessman and working lady .
The upper class people like priest, monk and large business owners were excluded means that ,monarch is not collecting tax from them
All this activity arose an anger and a sense of alienation of peope towars their ruler , which gives birth to a french revolution
What were the causes of French revolution?
Causes of the French Revolution
The French Revolution, which lasted from 1789 to 1799, was a turning point in French history and had a profound impact on the world. It was marked by a series of social, political, and economic changes that led to the overthrow of the monarchy and the rise of the French Republic. The revolution was a result of various interconnected factors, including:
Social Inequality and Unrest:
- The French society was divided into three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners. The first two estates enjoyed privileges and exemptions from taxes, while the third estate, which included the majority of the population, bore the burden of heavy taxation.
- The commoners faced severe economic hardships, high food prices, and unemployment, while the nobility and clergy led lives of luxury and extravagance.
- The Enlightenment ideas of equality, liberty, and fraternity, promoted by philosophers like Rousseau and Voltaire, fueled discontent among the people and inspired them to question the existing social order.
Economic Crisis:
- France was burdened with massive debt, primarily due to its involvement in costly wars, including the American Revolution.
- The monarchy's attempts to address the financial crisis through increased taxation on the third estate further exacerbated the social inequalities and fueled resentment.
- Poor harvests and food shortages worsened the economic conditions and led to widespread hunger and poverty.
Weak Leadership and Political Corruption:
- King Louis XVI, who ascended the throne in 1774, was a weak and indecisive ruler. His extravagant lifestyle and unwillingness to address the grievances of the people further eroded his legitimacy.
- The monarchy was plagued by corruption and nepotism, leading to a lack of trust in the government and its institutions.
Influence of Enlightenment Ideas:
- The ideas of the Enlightenment, which emphasized reason, individual rights, and the need for a just society, spread rapidly in France and contributed to the intellectual climate that fueled the revolution.
- The writings of philosophers like Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Voltaire challenged the traditional authority of the monarchy and inspired people to demand political and social reforms.
The American Revolution:
- The success of the American Revolution against British colonial rule inspired the French to seek similar political and social changes.
- The French provided significant support to the American colonists, which further strained the already fragile French economy.
Conclusion:
The French Revolution was a complex and multifaceted event with numerous causes. Social inequality, economic crisis, weak leadership, political corruption, and the influence of Enlightenment ideas all played a significant role in sparking the revolution. The revolution had far-reaching consequences not only in France but also in Europe and the rest of the world, as it challenged the existing social and political order and paved the way for the rise of modern democracies.
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