describe the factors responsible for the outbreak of Revolutionary protest in France
Answers
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.
The factors responsible for the outbreak of Revolutionary protest in France are listed below.
It includes a struggle for Empire and hegemony outstrips the financial resources of the state.
There is a conflict between the nobility and the Monarchy over a reform of certain tax systems which led to bankruptcy and paralysis.
Finally, it includes the social antagonisms between the two different rising groups.