FREE Causes of the French Revolution Essay (original) (raw)

The causes of the French Revolution .
Like the American Revolution, the French Revolution had its immediate origins in the financial difficulties of the government. The efforts of Louis XV's ministers to raise taxes had been thwarted by the high courts, led by the Parlement of Paris, which was strengthened in its opposition by widespread popular support. When renewed efforts to reform the tax system met a similar fate in 1776, the government was forced to finance all of its enormous expenditures during the American war with borrowed money. As a result, the national debt and the annual budget deficit soared. By the 1780s, fully 50 percent of France's annual budget, went for ever increasing interest payments on the ever-increasing debt. Another 25 percent went to maintain the military, while 6 percent was absorbed by the costly and extravagant king and his court at Versailles. Less than 20 percent of the entire national budget was available for the productive functions of the state, such as transportation and general administration. This was an impossible financial situation.
By the 1780s, the French debt was being held by an army of aristocratic and bourgeois creditors, and the French monarchy had become too weak for such a drastic and unpopular action. Nor could the king and his ministers, unlike modern governments, print money and create inflation to cover their deficits. Unlike England and Holland, which had far larger national debts relative to their populations, France had no central bank, no paper currency, and no means of creating credit. Therefore, when a depressed economy and a lack of public confidence made it increasingly difficult for the government to obtain new gold loans in 1786, it had no alternative but to try increasing taxes. And since France's tax system was unfair and out-of-date, increased revenues were possible only through fundamental reforms. Such reforms created a lot of social and political demands.

1. Three Causes of the French Revolution

The French Revolution was a prominent revolution of its time. ... The results of the revolution resolved many of the causes that began the Revolution. ... The French Revolution was caused by an assortment of factors. ... The French Revolution is often considered a political revolution with good reason. ... The French Revolution was a peculiar revolution of its time. ...

2. french revolution

The French Revolution of 1789 had many long-range causes. During the time before the French Revolution, there were three social classes in France. ... The American Revolution played a crucial role in the French Revolution. ... The French Revolution of 1789 had many long-range causes. Three main causes were class hatred, the monarchy, and the American Revolution. ...

3. French Revolution

The Enlightenment and the political leaders led France to financial problems, causing the French Revolution. ... An example of a cause of the French Revolution is the dominance of the Enlightenment ideas during that time. ... One cause of the French Revolution was the formation of the National Assembly, which was the representation of the French people. ... Another cause of the French Revolution was the storming of the Bastille. ... Since the beginning of our history, revolutions have had complex causes and left long lasting impacts on people's lives. ...

4. Causes of french revolution

The French revolution is an example is an example of a war that starts from a series of problems. The causes of the French Revolution were the absolute government, the countries" financial difficulties, and the people's social causes. ... The French had an absolute government, which caused a big problem for the French people. ... Finally, along with the government and money, the social causes are enough to start the French revolution. ... The French Revolution began because of the Bourgeoisie decided France needed to change (Merriman, 32) ...

5. A Bourgeois Revolution - The French Revolution

The French Revolution was believed to be the bourgeois revolution for the noble cause of equality. ... The French Revolution took place from 1789 to 1799. ... The second cause of the revolution can be considered to be the American Revolution. ... Another immediate cause of the French Revolution is the rising price of the bread. ... Such was the conditions before the revolution and some of these caused the revolution to take place. ...

6. French Revolution

The French Revolution unleashed many new forces and destroyed old ones. ... The immediate cause of the French Revolution were that the Estate-General had to assemble. ... The revolution unified France and enhanced the power of the national state. ... The French Revolution was a classic political and social experience. ... The greatest legacy of the French Revolution however, was that people could ch...

7. French Revolution

On the eve of the Revolution, France had grown to such a state that a revolution was irrefutable. ... The Plight of the French peasants continues, to portray the unfair, heavy taxation put upon the peasants, causing them to become unemployed. This caused great hardships of inequality throughout the lands of France, while at the same time encouraging fraternity to untie and overcome this oppression. ... After realizing a revolution and their petitions answered, France vowed not to return to a tyrant. ... All in all, the French government created its own revolution. ...

8. The French and Philippine Revolutions

The French Revolution took place from 1789 to 1799. ... Social classes also known as the Three Estates were one of the main causes of the revolution. ... Economic hardship was another cause of this revolution. ... This brings us to the political cause of the revolution. ... The last cause of the revolution was the Spanish government being economically weak. ...

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