What were the causes and immediate outcomes of the 1789 Revolution? Flashcards
What were the causes for the French Revolution?
Economic hardship, social inequality, Enlightenment ideas, financial crises, and the incompetence of King Louis XVI.
Why were there resentments in French society?
The feudal system (ancien régime) created vast inequalities; the Third Estate bore the tax burden while the clergy and nobility enjoyed privileges.
What is Enlightenment?
A cultural and intellectual movement in 18th-century Europe emphasizing reason, science, liberty, and equality, challenging traditional authority.
Who is Louis XVI?
The King of France (1774–1792) during the French Revolution, who was executed for treason in 1793.
Why was Louis XVI ridiculed?
For his indecisiveness, inability to manage France’s crises, and his perceived lack of leadership during critical moments.
What does the term ‘ancien régime’ mean?
Refers to the old order of France’s feudal system, where society was divided into three estates with unequal rights and privileges.
What are the long-term social problems?
Social inequality, privileges of the nobility and clergy, and exploitation of the Third Estate.
Evidence of long-term social problems?
The unequal tax system, where only the Third Estate paid taxes, and peasants were subjected to feudal dues.
What are the long-term financial problems?
Persistent deficits due to wars, extravagant royal spending, and reliance on borrowing.
Evidence of long-term financial problems?
France’s inability to reform its taxation system and the growing national debt, which reached 4 billion livres by the late 1780s.
Why did France go into debt?
Costly wars, lavish spending by the monarchy, and an inefficient tax system.
What were the two expensive wars fought by Louis XV?
The War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748) and the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763).
What were the long-term economic problems?
Inefficient agriculture, feudal dues, heavy taxation, and limited industrial growth.
What were bread riots?
Violent protests over high bread prices due to poor harvests, which made food unaffordable for the poor.
What were the long-term political problems?
Absolute monarchy, lack of representation for the Third Estate, and resistance to reform.
Why was there a growing middle class?
Economic growth in trade and commerce created a bourgeoisie who demanded political representation and social equality.
What were the short-term problems after 1774?
Rising bread prices, increased national debt, and Louis XVI’s failure to address the Estates-General effectively.
What was the impact of Louis XVI’s policies?
Increased financial and social instability due to his failure to implement meaningful reforms.
Why was there little attempt to change France and restrict privilege?
Resistance from the privileged estates and the king’s indecisiveness hindered reforms.
What inspired the American Revolution?
Enlightenment ideas, resistance to British taxation, and the desire for self-governance.
What were the pressures for change?
Rising discontent among the Third Estate, economic hardship, and the influence of Enlightenment ideas.
What were the social pressures?
Demands for equality, resentment of feudal privileges, and increasing unrest among peasants and workers.
Evidence of social pressures?
Events like the storming of the Bastille and the widespread bread riots.
Who were the main revolutionaries of the Industrial Revolution?
Thinkers like Adam Smith, inventors such as James Watt, and political leaders who championed labor and industrial reforms.
How did economic discontent lead to the revolution?
High taxes and food shortages drove the Third Estate to demand systemic changes.
What occurred due to the series of bad harvests?
Food shortages, skyrocketing bread prices, and widespread hunger among the population.
What did bad harvests result in?
Increased poverty, riots, and heightened resentment toward the monarchy.
Why did the landowners enclose their land?
To increase agricultural productivity and profits, often at the expense of small farmers.
Why was there increasing refusal from peasants to pay taxes?
Economic hardship and resentment toward the unequal tax system.
What did economic discontent cause by 1788?
Calls for reform, mass unrest, and demands for the convening of the Estates-General.
What did political pressures lead to the revolution?
The demand for a constitutional government and an end to absolute monarchy.
For whom was the lack of political rights and participation frustrating?
The Third Estate and the bourgeoisie, who had no significant representation.
Why was there a growth of interest in scientific knowledge in Europe and North America?
Enlightenment values promoted reason, empirical evidence, and progress.
Why were doubts cast on traditional religious beliefs?
The Enlightenment questioned the authority of the Church and emphasized rational thought.
