Describe the circumstances leading to outbreak of revolutionary protest in France.
Answers
The French revolution broke out due to various social, economic, intellectual and political factors.
The then King of France, Louis XVI was inefficient and an autocrat.
The Social society of French was inequally divided.
The first and second classes were comprised of the Clergy and Nobility which were the priviliged classes exempted from all kind of state taxes.
The third estate or the third class was comprised of the majority of the population which were the unpriviliged classes and had to pay all the state taxes.
The population of France rose greatly during 1780's leading to food crisis. The price of bread rose highly during that time.
The treasury of France got empty due to continuous war and the luxurious living ways of the King.
After the assembly on 5 May, 1789, the members of the third estate became more agitated about their rights in the administration.
On July 14, 1789 the agitated crowd stormed and destroyed the bastille, the fortress prison, leading to outbreak of the French Revolutions
The circumstances that causes outbreak of revolutionary protest in France were:
→ Social Inequality: French society in eighteenth century was divided into three estates namely The Clergy, The nobility and third estates which comparises peasants, officials and small business. It was only third estates only pay taxes. Clergy and nobility were exempt from taxes.
→ Subsistence Crisis: The population of France also increased from 23 million in 1715 to 28 million in 1789. Food grains were now in great demand. Price of bread shot up. Wages did not keep pace with rising prices. This led to subsistence crisis.
→ Economic Problems: Long years of war had drained the financial resources of France. To meet its regular expenses, such as the cost of maintainingan army, the court, running government offices or universities, the state was forced to increase taxes.
→ Strong Middle Class: The middle class emerged educated and wealthy during eighteenth century. They believed that no group in society should be given privileges by birth. Ideas of equality and freedom were put forward by philosphers. 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 os Estates General to pass proposals for new taxes. Third estates protested against this proposal but as each estates have one vote the king rejected this appeal. They walked out of assembly.
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