Why was the widespread inquality in french society
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student-name Arjun Chandavarkar asked in Social Science
what is the social cause for the french revolution
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student-name Smriti Upadhyay answered this
117 helpful votes in Social Science, Class X
French Revolution began in the year 1789 in France against the monarchy and in support of democracy. The main reasons behind the revolution were −
(1) The French government under Emperor Louise XVI was under huge debt in the 18th century.
(2) The government imposed heavy taxes on the French citizens to meet its expenditure.
(3) The King, the nobility and the clergy lived a lavish life whereas the common people of France lived in misery and were burdened with heavy taxation.
(4) The feudal system gave the big landlords the power to enjoy various privileges and exploit the poor peasants by extracting taxes and tributes from them.
(5) The clergy also collected separate taxes called Tithes from the people.
(6) The prices of essential commodities were very high due to increased demand and wages were low. This made survival difficult for the poor sections of the society.
(7) The growth of middle class and the ideas of philosophers like Rousseau and Voltaire on equality and freedom made the people aware of their rights.
All these factors combined together and took the shape of the French Revolution in 1789.