Reasons for French revolution
Answers
(i) Ideas of political philosophers : ideas envisaging a society based on freedom and equal laws and opportunities for all, were put forward by philosophers such as John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau. In his two Treatise of Government, Locke sought to refute the doctrine of the divine and absolute right of the monarch. Rousseau carried the idea forward, proposing the form of government based on social contract between people and their representatives. In the Spirit of the Laws, Montesquieu proposed a division of power within the government between the legislative, the executive and the judiciary. This model of Governance was put to function in American government and was set as an example to the French revolutionaries.
(ii) Denial of rights : The third estate was represented by its more prosperous and educated members. Peasants, Artisans and women were denied entry to the assembly.
Economic Causes Of French Revolution -
(i) The Feudal system gives the big landlords the power to enjoy various privileges and exploit the poor peasants by extracting Taxes and tributes from Them.
(ii) The clergy also collected separate taxes called tithes from the people.
(iii) The prices of essential commodities were very high due to increased demands and wages were low. This made survival difficult for the poor sections of the society.
REASONS OF FRENCH REVOLUTION ARE:-
1. SOCIAL-- THE FRENCH SOCIETY WAS DIVIDED IN 3 PARTS:
i. 1st estate---clergies and priests
ii. 2nd estate --- noblemen
iii. 3rd estate--- lawyers,land owners.workers,peasants,labour etc.
through this division 1st and 2nd estate thought that they are the children of GOD and they have a special contact with the king. So they do not pay any tax.only the 3rd estate have to pay taxes.this make the people of 3rd estate angry.
IN THE FRENCH SOCIETY,THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF TAXES:
1. TEETHE---IN THIS TAX,THE MONEY COLLECTED BY SECOND ESTATE FROM THIRD ESTATE IS GIVEN TO KING DIRECTLY
2. TAILE---IN THIS TAX,THE MONEY COLLECTED BY 2ND ESTATE FROM 3RD ESTATE IS GIVEN TO CHURCHES AND FOR AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
2. ECONOMIC CAUSE- THE KING LOIUS WAS A LAZY KING WHO NEVER DONE ANYTHING FOR HIS KINGDOM.HE JUST SPENT HIS MONEY ON BUYING ROYAL THINGS AND OTHER EXPENDITURES.HE ALSO GAVE A BIG AMOUNT OF LIVRE (CURRENCY OF FRANCE DURING 17'S) TO ENGLAND DURING WAR.AS A RESULT,HIS ALL MONEY GOT DISSAPPARED SLOWLY. SO HE DECIDED TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF TAXES,WHICH MAKE THE PEOPLE OF 3RD ESTATE MORE ANGRY.
3.POPULATION- DURING THE END OF 17TH CENTURY THE POPULATION OF FRANCE INCREASED TO 200 MILLION.ONLY A FEW PEOPLE CAN FILL THEIR STOMACH BECAUSE THEIR IS LACK OF FOOD FOR ALL CITIZENS OF FRANCE.FARMERS AND LABOURS HAVE TO WORD MORE TO GROW MORE PRODUCTION.