French Revolution - Causes Flashcards
What is a revolution?
- Rebellion for rights
- Freedom, justice, equality
- Authorative figure
- Long drawn out process
What was the French Revolution?
The French Revolution was a significant event in world history that started in 1789 and ended in the late 1790s. It brought about the end of the monarchy in France and led to many social and political changes.
Give some background to the French Revolution.
In the 18th century (the 1700), in the French society, there was inequality, oppression, and other things led to anger amongst the people.
Name the reasons/causes behind the French Revolution.
- The enlightenment - gave people new ideas, taught them that inequality was unjust and challenged the social order.
- The common masses/peasant were weighed down by laws, customs and institutions.
- The common people were outrageously taxed
- There was no personal liberty in France
- Serfdom had paralysed the entire system
- The french society was unhappy, unprotected and not free, nor was there any opportunity for improvement.
What was the ancient regime?
The ancient regime was the old regime of france that consisted of the political and social system of France prior to the French Revolution.
Under this regime, everyone was a subject of the king.
What was the principle of divine right?
- Belief that the king’s person and authority was sacred
- The power of the king was absolute and equaled that of God
- This meant that the monarch was not accountable to the people
- These beliefs contributed to the large-scale inequality in French society.
What was the Three Estates System?
The Three Estates System was the social system in France before the revolution. It was an unequal division of power.
It separated the french society into 3 Estates; the first estate (1% of the population - the clergy), the second estate (2% of the population - the nobles) and the third estate (97% of the population - artisans, peasants and bourgeoisie)
Who were the clergy?
The clergy, or the priest of the roman empire formed the first order.
They owned fifth of the land in France, allowing them to yield a large revenue. They were also relieved from the payment of all the taxation. Moreover, they extracted taxes/tithes on all agricultural products.
Who were the nobility?
The nobility were the class of people who lived in luxury and splendour of the court.
They allowed their estates to be managed by agents who exacted all they could get from the peasants. The nobles held all the important position in the army and government. They did not require to pay taxes and were closest to the king.
Who were the 3rd Estate?
The 3rd estate were the largest section/class in society.
Millions of them were serfs, the rest were free but unhappy. They paid more than 50% of their income in the form of tax to the king, nobility and church. They had no political liberty.
Who were the “Bourgeoisie”?
The bourgeoisie were the new social class known as the ‘middle class’, comprising of the educated people. They were composed of lawyers, doctors and bankers.
They were all educated and wealthy, but did not get all the privileges they deserved based on their contribution to society. They were looked down upon by the nobles and were not accustomed to the rules/standards that men and women were forced to uphold.
How did the new middle class help in the revolution?
The new middle class were the ones among the common masses who were exposed to education
They were therefore attracted to the revolutionary ideas of the Enlightenment thinkers.The popularity of the Printing Press helped in spreading these ideas
Who was Louis XVI?
Louis XVI was an absolute monarch who ruled through the theory of Divine Rights, which meant that no one could question his authority.
During his youth, no one thought he would become king but due to a great number of unprecedented deaths in the family, this became a reality.
He was therefore and unpopular king who was not ready to hold such high office. He also did not enjoy politics, ignoring the interests of the common people and lived a life of luxury.
Who was Mary Antoinette?
Marie Antoinette (1755 - 1793) was the daughter of Austrian Empress Maria Theresa and Francis I (the holy roman emperor).
He was married to future king of France, Louis XVI, when she was 14.
She soon became unpopular, gaining a reputation for excessive spending on fashion, gambling and other things.
What was the economic uncertainty in France?
Due to frequent winters and harsh weather conditions, there was no harvest. The led to a famine where there was a shortage of basic food items such as bread, and prices became high.
They was also no work, and people from all over France came to Paris in search for a job. Hunger and shortage of food roused anger amongst the people, which soon led to mob violence and revolts.
