why did French Revolution occur
Answers
French Revolution (1789–1799)
French revolution has been a landmark in European history. It shook the foundations of medieval Europe. The revolution supported the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity and it left the everlasting impact on human civilization.
French revolution began on 1789 and lasted till 1799. The original aim of the people of France was to create a constitutional monarchy and reform the financial and political structure of the country. But it later developed into a full scale movement to overthrow the monarchy and turn France into a republic.
CAUSES OF REVOLUTION
Intellectual Awakening - The ideas to govern the world always come from philosophers. France, in the 18th century, produced great philosophers and thinkers. Great thinkers like Voltaire, Montesquieu and above all Rousseau paved the way for the revolution.Voltaire became famous as a great writer and critic. In his brilliant satirical style, and through his plays and writings, he launched bitter attack against the church and the state. He was against the absolute monarchy. As an essay writer Voltaire defended freedom of speech and religious tolerance. It was said later about Voltaire, “One man dared to speak out for the rights of common oppressed people. He educated masses to think and act.
Montesquieu was also a great philosopher. He supported constitutional monarchy in France like England one. He believed in decentralization of King’s power. He propagated the theory of separating power into three branches - the Legislative, the Executive and the Judiciary.
Jean Jacques Rousseau was probably the greatest philosophers of the age. In his book “Social Contract”, he explained that the king and his subjects are parties to a contract, and therefore, the king does not rule the people according to general will, he loses their loyalty. Rousseau advocated Popular Sovereignty Theory. It was Rousseau who said, “Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains.” Even Napoleon declared that if Rousseau had never lived there would have been no Revolution in France.
The American Revolution (1765–1783) - Beside of Intellectual Awakening, this revolt also served as an inspiration. The French had helped the American colonies against England; as they desired to revenge themselves against England for taking Canada from them. This later recoiled on the French Government :First, it cost the French great financial loss from which they did not recover till the revolution.The success of the American rebels served as an incentive to the Revolutionary Theory in France.Economic Factors - The French system of taxation was both unjust and unfair and put a heavy burden on the common people, the only class who paid taxes. They had to pay taxes to churches also apart from royal taxes. A tax on tobacco and salt was also levied, much to the distress of common people. They paid a direct tax to king called taille who indulged in wars with other countries for their own glory. This put a heavy burden on the common people. The kings led a life of luxury and pomp and their administration was weak and inefficient.These above all factors led the awakening of common people especially peasants and landless labors, which resulted the French revolution.