Describe the causes of French Revolution. (Class 9th, History. Plz answer according to the book)
( Long answer )
Answers
Answer:
The Main causes of French Revolution are :
1. Despotic rules of king Louis XVI : due to financial crisis King Louis XVI forced to increase taxes which was mostly paid by the people of third state which create a tension in society.
2. Privileges and burdens of French society. French society was divided into three types of society :
• First estate
• Second estate
• Third estate
the member of the first two estate that is clergy and the nobility enjoyed certain privileges by but this discrimination led to the Revolution by the third estate .
3. Rising prices : the population of France had increase this result into more demands of food grains which leads to increase of prices of food grains .
4. Inspiration by the philosophy : the philosophers like John Locke, rousseau and montesquieu spread the ideas of equality which inspired the people .
5. Role of the middle class : another major causes was the role of the middle class who earned their wealth are expanding trades of manufactured goods being exported .
Answer:
-In 1774, king Louis XVI ascended the throne.
-The treasury was completely empty at that time, and about 2 billion livres were in debt.
-Therefore heavy taxes where imposed on the third estate(peasant,servant etc.)
-Taxes were:
tithe- 1/10 of the agricultural produce- demanded by the church
taille -direct tax - levied on everyday items
indirect takes
-There was a population increase in 1715-1789(abt 5 million people increased)
-There was a subsistence crisis as a result.
-The taxes were difficult to pay
-And then, people like Jean Jacques Rousseau and John Locke wrote books on a form of govn. based on social contract between people and their representatives.
-These ideas were discussed everywhere like cafes and stuff.It became the talk of the town.
-Louis XVI planned to impose further taxes to meet the expenses of the state.
-This sparked anger in the minds of the citizens and they began to protest against the system of privileges.
-On May 5, 1789, Louis XVI called together an assembly of the Estates General to pass proposals for new taxes.
-The first and second estates had 300 representatives each and the third estate-600.
-Each estate had one vote, but the third estate wanted each individual to take a vote.
-When this was refused, the third estate marched out in protest.
-Various factors like these lead to the over throwing of the king and France finally became a constitutional monarchy.
-Taxes like tithes were all abolished.
Hope it helps!