Question

Describe the economic and social circumstances that led to outbreak of revolutionary protest in france.

Answer 1

Louis XVI of the Bourbon family of kings ascended the throne of France in 1774. Upon his accession he found that his treasury was empty. Long wars with Britain, the cost of maintaining an extravagant court at the immense palace of Versailles, cost of maintaining a regular army, court, running government offices, etc., had depleted the treasury. Louis XVI was forced to increase taxes. But this measure would not have sufficed as taxes were paid only by the third estate in the society.The French society during this time was divided as :Peasants made up about 90% of the population. However, very few owned land. About 60% of the land was owned by nobles, the church and the richer members of the third estate. The members of the first two estates enjoyed privileges and paid no taxes. The peasants had to pay the taxes, render services, serve in the army and work in the lord’s house and fields. The Third Estate had to pay taxes such as tithes to the church, taille, a direct tax and many other indirect taxes.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.The supply could not match with the need and hence the subsistence crisis.The 18th century witnessed the emergence of social groups, termed the middle class, who earned their wealth through an expanding overseas trade and from the manufacture of goods such as woollen and silk textiles. In addition the third estate included professionals such as lawyers or administrative officials. All these people were educated and believed that no group in society should be given privileges by birth. Such ideas which spoke of freedom and equal laws and opportunities for all were put forward by philosophers such as Voltaire and Rousseau. The ideas of these philosophers were discussed intensively in salons and coffee housesand spread among people through books and newspapers and even through loud reading for peoplewho could not read or write. The news about imposing further taxes generated anger and protest against the system of privileges. The king had to increase the taxes for various reasons. But how could he do it? He could not impose taxes according to his will alone. He had to call a meeting of the Estates General whichthen would pass the proposals for new taxes. The assembly of the Estates General was called on 5th May 1789. Voting in the Estates General had been conducted according to the principle that each estatehad one vote. Members of the third estate demanded that voting now be conducted by the assembly as a whole, where each member would have one vote. This was according to the democratic principles put forward by philosophers. The king rejected this proposal and the members of the third estate walked out of the Assembly. On 20th June, the members of the thirdestate assembled in the hall of an indoor tennis courtin the grounds of Versailles. They declared themselves as a National Assembly. They were led by Mirabeau and Abbé Sieyés. At this time, France went through a severe winter and the price of bread increased. Women were angry and annoyed. They stormed into shops for bread. At the same time, the king ordered troops to move into Paris. On 14 July the agitated crowd stormed the Bastille. This is taken as the beginning of the French Revolution and is known as the storming of the Bastille.