11. Explain the circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France.
Answers
(i) Social:- The social order consisted of many inequalities. The privileged classes were the clergy and noblemen, the First and Second Estate respectively. They were exempt from paying taxes. The rest of the citizens belonged to the Third Estate and constituted the majority of the population.They did not have any political rights or social status, but paid all the taxes. So, they were very discontented.
(ii) Economic:- There was a financial crisis as the king's treasury was empty, The king's luxurious style of living and involvement in wars had made France very poor. There was no money to feed the poor when there was a bad crop
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ANSWER FOR YOUR QUESTION IS HERE:
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The circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France were:
→ Social Inequality: French society in the eighteenth century was divided into three estates namely The Clergy, The nobility and third estates. First two estates, that is, the clergy and the nobility enjoyed certain privileges by birth. They were exempt from paying taxes. The Third estate comprises of businessmen, merchants, Peasants and artisans, labours had to pay taxes to the state.
→ Political Causes: Long years of war had drained the financial resources of France. France had a debt of more than 2 billion livres. To meet its regular expenses, such as the cost of maintaining an army, the court, running government offices or universities, the state was forced to increase taxes which angered the people.
→ Economic Problems: The population of France also increased from 23 million in 1715 to 28 million in 1789. Food grains were now in great demand. The price of bread shot up. Wages did not keep pace with rising prices. This led to subsistence crisis.
→ Strong Middle Class: A new middle class emerged educated and wealthy during the eighteenth century. They believed that no group in society should be given privileges by birth. Ideas of equality and freedom were put forward by philosophers. The ideas of these philosophers were discussed intensively in salons and coffee houses and spread among people.
→ Immediate Causes: On 5 may, 1789, Louis XVI called together an assembly of Estates General to pass proposals for new taxes. Third estates protested against this proposal but as each estate have one vote, the king rejected this appeal. They walked out of the assembly.
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