Question

discuss the factors which led to french revolution.

Answer 1

1. International: struggle for hegemony and Empire outstrips the fiscal resources of the state

2. Political conflict: conflict between the Monarchy and the nobility over the “reform” of the tax system led to paralysis and bankruptcy.

3. The Enlightenment: impulse for reform intensifies political conflicts; reinforces traditional aristocratic constitutionalism, one variant of which was laid out in Montequieu’s Spirit of the Laws; introduces new notions of good government, the most radical being popular sovereignty, as in Rousseau’s Social Contract [1762]; the attack on the regime and privileged class by the Literary Underground of “Grub Street;” the broadening influence of public opinion.

4. Social antagonisms between two rising groups: the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie

5. Ineffective ruler: Louis XVI

6. Economic hardship, especially the agrarian crisis of 1788-89 generates popular discontent and disorders caused by food shortages.

Answer 2

political causes- there was a hereditary ( monarchy ) absolute monarchy in France and king held himself to be the representative of God on earth and was cruel.people were really fed up with such a rotten political system as he remained under the thumb of his wife Mary Antonitte.
social causes-the French society was based on inequality I.e.,it was divided into three estates,clergy,nobles and commoners.The first estate and the second estate were enjoying special previliges whereas the commoners were crushed under the burden of heavy taxes.As a result the public would naturally be a prey,doubt,distrust and dissatisfaction.