Question

what was the role of middle class on the onset of the french revolution

Answer 1

The Eighteenth Century witnessed the emergence of social group termed as middle class, who earned their wealth by expanding overseas trade and from manufacturing of goods like woolen and silk textiles that were either imported or brought by the richer members of the society. The middle class emerged as educated and wealthy class during the eighteenth century. The Third Estate also included professionals such as lawyers, administrative official, merchants and manufacturers. They were educated and believed that no group in the society should be privileged by birth, rather a person's social position must depend on its merit. The system of privileges that were promoted by the feudal society was against their interests. These ideas got popularized amongst the masses as a result of intensive discussions and debates in salon, coffee house and through books and newspapers.

Answer 2

The French middle class during the French revolution was highly educated and due to this they had a lot of access to philosophies and schools of thought pertaining to freedom and equality.

These ideas were popularized through discussions and debates which resulted in awareness amongst the masses and started the French revolution.