Causes of French Revolution

¶ … French Revolution was the consequence of four interrelated issues. These were France's financial condition, social class tension, inept monarchy, and the Enlightenment. It resulted from the convergence of France's poor economy, social injustice, inept monarch, and enlightened thinking. However, there may have been no revolution if there was social justice.

A person was born into one of three classes (or estates) in pre-Revolution French society. The first and second estates were the aristocracy and the clergy. The third estate, which comprised most of the population, was the middle class (bourgeoisie) and the peasants. The first and second estates were exempt from taxes. The entire burden of state rested squarely on the bourgeoisie and the peasants. The first and second estates, numbering 300,000 owned three-fifths of the land, in a country with 25 million citizens. The third estate was collapsing under their unjust tax burden.

In addition to their tax grievance, the bourgeoisie resented their association with peasants, which disqualified them from positions in the government or military. They were further aggrieved by their inability to criticize the government and their lack of religious freedom.

The injustice of the class system in France is closely related to the economic causes of the revolution. At that time, half of the monarchy's income was paid out for interest on their huge debt. The imprudent policy of taxing only the third estate and the monarchy's enormous and foolhardy expenditures ultimately bankrupted the government.

In 1788, bad weather plagued the countryside. Crops were ruined and famine further assaulted the poor. Winter of the following year was even more severe and it had devastating results. Peasants moved to the city, but they remained jobless and penniless. Mobs of unemployed people formed in the cities demanding food and jobs.

At the same time, French soldiers were returning from America, bringing with them principles from the U.S. Constitution and stories of the new democracy. French philosophers criticism of the monarchy actually influenced the wording of the U.S. Constitution. This was a period of enlightenment, a period when astute political philosophers abounded and freedom fighters were timely and triumphant. Peasants began to advance concepts such as self-determination and revolution. It is right to fight tyranny. No taxation without representation. Men should have liberal freedoms. A republic is superior to a monarchy.

Voltaire was extremely critical of the Church. He denounced religious persecution, torture, and unfair taxes, each prohibited by the U.S. Constitution. Montesquieu advocated checks and balances in government with separate legislature, judiciary and executive. This was also apart of the U.S. Constitution. Rousseau championed direct democracy rather than representational democracy, which motivated and inspired leaders of the revolution.

The inept monarchy was the icing on the cake. King Louis XVI was a weak man, more interested in hunting than in being king. His wife, Marie Antoinette, was a strong influence, and was detested by the peasants. The king misjudged and mismanaged. He did not comprehend the severity of the situation or the resolve of the underclass.