What Caused the French Revolution?

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Causes of the French Revolution
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

The French revolution that took place in 1789-1799 was a period of political and social upheaval in France. However, the revolution did not only affect France alone but also the whole of Europe (Lefebvre 6). The revolution brought about the modern revolution- an idea of a plan that can transform the world. The revolution ushered in modernity after the collapse of the old regime that was characterized by legal inequality, feudal economy and absolutist politics.

The revolution began after a meeting of the Estates-Generals on 5 May 1989, which was attended by the Third Estates (merchants, peasants, professional men and artisans) representatives who felt uncomfortable with the old regime governance that exempted clergies and the rich from paying taxes. The meeting then changed its name to National Assembly after the nobles and clergies joined.

The main aim of this meeting was to give France a constitution that called for liberty, equality, and fraternity. After the King realized of the meeting he kicked them out of their usual meeting place (Lefebvre 8). On 20 June 1789, they changed their meeting venue to the Oath of Tennis Court.

The King further tried to remove them from the hall, which sparked out the revolution. On July 14, the revolution became radical after a mob stormed and captured the Bastille, the old royal prison in Paris. The radicals further spread from Paris to other districts in the country. In this paper, the focus is in support of John Locke’s statement that “if man’s rights are deprived the people affected have the right to overthrow the government and establish a new one.”

Causes of the French Revolution

Royal Absolutism: In 18^th century, France had an absolute monarch that was applicable in both theory and practice. In reality, France rather than having a parliament had Estate General that was composed of members from each of the three estates (Cobban 3). This Estate General was semi-representative and ineffective as it last convened in 1641. France experienced a bloated bureaucratic administration from the government officials.

The bureaucracy overgrew and by 1750, it was very large, inefficient and corrupt. The officials had acquired properties illegally, bought and sold government offices for their own benefits. In addition, there was no unified system of law in France as every region had its parliament that determined the law. The French revolution implemented a single and unified system of law.

Finances: Lack of legislature made the French monarchy to have an overall control of the finances. The king managed the countries fiscal year and by 1789, the government of France was so bankrupt that it could not settle its debts.

In addition, the level of debts had increased in the past years due to the involvement of France in many wars in the late 17^th century and early 18^th century (Cobban 1946). Further, the exemption of a number of social groups from payment of taxes led to the government’s failure to raise enough finances. The rich, the clergy and the church, universities and the cities were exempted from paying taxes.

Enlightenment: During the 18^th century, the French society started awareness of the happenings in their nations. The third class that was paying taxes while the first and second did not, became aware of the inequality and the effects it had on them (Cobban 6).

In addition, the need for women to take part in elections and decision-making in the country also brought about the rise of revolution. Further, the realization of the third class that all men were born to be equal in paying taxes, enjoying equal rights, owning properties, and being elected to representatives contributed to the rise of the revolution.

The American Revolution: In 1775-1783, America experienced a revolution and the government of France sent its troops and navy to help the rebelling colonists. Its troops had contacts with the Americans, which is believed to be a source of exchange of revolutionary ideas.

These troops further spread the ideas to the French citizens after returning to France (Cobban 5). In addition, the formation of democratic republic in 1780s attracted attention of various writers who wrote about the America and predicted the trend to follow in European countries. Those who read the books became enlightened and preached the information of steady and inevitable progress of man’s intellectual nature and morals, which caused more tensions in France.

Food Scarcity: Years before the revolution, France experienced a harsh climate conditions that led to poor harvests (Cobban 5). This consequently led to the rise of hunger and high prices of bread in France. In addition, the government was unable to deal with the situation due to poor means of transport that hindered the transportation of food from rural areas with plenty foods to the hunger stricken and populated areas. This led to destabilization of the French Citizens, which eventually led to the revolution.

Conclusion

The causes of the French revolution were due to inefficiency of the old regime of governance of the French Monarchy. This made the monarchy to violate human rights and needs. To look for an alternative means for a government that would cater and have the concerns of the French society as the priority, the society had to kick out the old regime and form a new modern regime.

This gives support and concurs with John Locke statement “if man’s rights are deprived they have the right to overthrow the government and establish a new one.”

Works Cited

Cobban, Alfred. Historians and the Causes of French Revolution. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1946. Print

Lefebvre, Georges. The French Revolution: From its Origin to 1793. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1962. Print.

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What Caused the French Revolution?

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