5 Causes of the French Revolution

The French Revolution (1789–1799) was a turning point in world history. The French Revolution was a major event that changed France forever. Let’s explore the main causes of the French Revolution.

1.Economic Problems and Taxation

France was under a huge financial crisis due to:

• Costly wars: France had spent a lot of money fighting wars, including the American Revolution(1775–1783), where France supported the Americans against Britain.
• Extravagant spending: The monarchy, especially King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, spent lavishly on luxuries and palaces like Versailles.

To solve the financial crisis, the king imposed heavy taxes on the common people (Third Estate), while the nobility and clergy (First and Second Estates) were exempt from taxes.

The poor harvests of 1788–1789 led to food shortages and a sharp rise in the price of bread, which was the staple food of the common people. This caused widespread anger and hunger among the poor.

2. Social Inequalities

• French society was divided into three estates:
  1. First Estate: Clergy (religious leaders) – they owned 10% of the land and paid no taxes.
  2. Second Estate: Nobility – they also owned land and enjoyed privileges like tax exemptions.
  3. Third Estate: Commoners (peasants, workers, merchants, lawyers, etc.) – they paid all the taxes and had no privileges.
• The Third Estate made up 98% of the population but had no political power or rights. This unfair system created resentment and a demand for equality.

3. Role of the Enlightenment

• The Enlightenment was a period in the 18th century when philosophers like John Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu challenged the traditional ideas of monarchy and inequality.
• They promoted ideas like:
  • Liberty, equality, and fraternity.
  • Democracy and the rights of individuals.
  • Separation of powers in government (executive, legislative, and judiciary).
• These ideas inspired the people of France to question the absolute power of the king and demand a fairer system.

4. Influence of the American Revolution

• The American Revolution (1775–1783) had a significant impact on France:
  • France supported the Americans in their fight for independence from Britain, which added to France’s financial problems.
  • The success of the American Revolution showed that it was possible to overthrow a monarchy and establish a democratic government.
  • The ideas of liberty and equality from the American Revolution inspired the French people to fight for their own rights.

5. Political Crisis

• King Louis XVI was a weak ruler. He couldn’t solve France’s problems.
• In 1789, he called a meeting of the Estates-General (an assembly of representatives from all three estates) to approve new taxes. However, the Third Estate demanded equal representation and voting rights.The king refused. This led to french revolution causes:
  • Formation of the National Assembly by the Third Estate on June 20, 1789
  • The Tennis Court Oath
  • Growing protests
  • Eventually, the storming of the Bastille

Frequently Asked Questions on the causes of the French Revolution

Q1: Why didn’t the king just reduce his spending to solve the economic crisis? A: King Louis XVI was not a strong leader. He was influenced by his court nobles who wanted to maintain their luxurious lifestyle. He also didn’t understand how serious the problems were for common people.

Q2: What role did Marie Antoinette play in the revolution? A: Marie Antoinette, the queen, was very unpopular. People blamed her for the king’s bad decisions and her expensive lifestyle. She became a symbol of everything wrong with the monarchy.

Q3: Why was the storming of the Bastille so important? A: The Bastille was a prison in Paris. Its capture on July 14, 1789, became a powerful symbol of the revolution. It showed that common people could challenge royal power. This date is now celebrated as France’s national day.

Click here to go back to The French Revolution: Essential Topics