Long Term Causes of the French Revolution Flashcards
When has a ‘Revolution’ Actually Begun?
When the government’s monopoly of power & force is effectively challenged by some groups who no longer recognize its legitimate authority, no longer grant it loyalty, and no longer obey its commands.
TRANSLATION: When TWO different groups claim to be the LEGITIMATE power in a country.
A revolutionary situation continues until a single, sovereign government is reconstituted.
In 18th century France, this moment occurred on June 20, 1789 when the delegates of the Third Estate claimed that they were the true representatives of the Nation and that they would not disband until the King and the other two orders (Nobility and Clergy) would recognize this.
This ‘Tennis Court Oath’ created The National Assembly
What was meant by the term the ‘Three Estates’?
French Society was divided into Three Estates.
The First Estate Consisted of the Clergy, the Second Estate was the Nobles and the Third Estate was the and made up 80% of the Population.
How is the French Revolution connected to the American Revolution?
The French Revolution was directly connected to the French Revolution as French involvement and support of that war saw many returning soldiers come to realise they had returned to a country where they had fewer rights and also faced an unfair taxation system.
What was the ‘Enlightenment’ and how was it a Long-Term Cause of the French Revolution?
This is connected to the Enlightenment, a movement in which intellectuals began to question the world around them, including ideas of political power structures and the Absolute power of the King.
What was the Population of France on the Eve of the Revolution?
The unfair system of the Three Estates in France saw the population of 27.5 million in 1789 divided with approximately 120,000 members of the first estate who paid no tax, 350,000 Nobles who paid very few taxes and more than 25 million peasants who bore the burden of taxes in France.
