The French Revolution Essay - 1630 Words

The French Revolution Why was there a French Revolution? This is a question of continual interests not only to professors and philosophers, but to everybody who takes an interests in the history of the world. Genuinely, therefore, it is also a subject of much contention. The statement citing the fundamental cause of the French Revolution as the collision between a powerful rising Bourgeoisie and an ingrained aristocracy, defending its privileges it had for centuries, has great relevance in reiterating the great conflict of 1789. However, it was the financial debt of the government, and the financial crisis it caused, which was at root of the actual course to revolution. Many factors played a role in the economic†¦show more content†¦They had the right to ascendancy on public occasions, the right to exercise seigniorial rights over most of the lands they did not own, the right to wear a sword in public, and, most importantly, the exemption from taxes. The third estate could have been broken down into two categories. One was a new middle class that emerged during the Louis XVI era, called the Bourgeoisie. The rest of the estate were poor peasants and artisans that -3- made up about ninety-six percent of Frances entire population. The Bourgeoisise were highly educated bankers and investors, or other business elites. They made their money in refining and processing plants, finance and insurance, and other advanced industries. A good share of the nations debt was due to the uneven taxation of the estates. The nobles were exempt from the main direct tax, or taille, as were the clergy. That meant most of the burden lay on the third estate, who also possessed the least amount of wealth. The Bourgeois were wealthy and were able to afford such taxation, but nonetheless, their aim was civil equality and to destroy the tax privileges of the nobility and clergy. The peasants, too, were laden with extensive amounts of taxation that was nearly impossible for them to pay. Burrowing France deeper into debt and economic crisis was the persistent drought followed by massive storms, ravaging theShow MoreRelatedThe French Revolution And French Revolutions2006 Words   |  9 PagesAlthough the American and French revolutions both took place in the late 18th century, both fought for independence, and both portrayed patriotism, the revolutions are markedly different in their origins; one which led to the world’s longest lasting democracy and the other to a Napoleonic Dictatorship. Political revolutions in America and France happened because people felt dissatisfied with the way their country was run. In North America they rebelled against rule from a foreign power, they wantedRead MoreThe French Revolution And The Revolution1523 Words   |  7 PagesThe French Revolution was a time rife with violence, with many revolutionaries using extreme actions to overturn the French Monarchy and create a government based on equality and justice, rather than tyranny and despotism. This violence reached gruesome and terrible heights throughout the revolution, but was justified by the revolutionaries, who believed that their goals of total equality, the end of tyranny, and the return to a virtuous society, allowed them to use means necessary to attain theseRead MoreThe French Revolution And The Revolution1336 Words   |  6 PagesAnalysis The French Revolution was such an important time history. 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