French Revolution

Revolution:
Revolution can be elucidated as:
An abrupt sudden and subversive change in status-quo
It can also be defined as:
A fundamental change in power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively
short period of time

Introduction to the French revolution:

There are certain events in history that changed the entire scenario of the world.
Events

American Revolution
(1765-1783)

French Revolution
(1789-1871)

Industrial revolution
(1760-1820)

American Revolution was a social political and intellectual struggle by American people who overthrew
the colonial masters and formed the United States of America. Industrial revolution gave a boost to the
working class and transition to new means of manufacturing took place. French revolution that was
preceded by industrial and glorious revolution changed the whole scenario of the world. The old system
of monarchy was smashed and secular republican government was formed. The suppressed class
burdened by the taxes which were increasing with every passing moment stood up for their rights and
representation.

Causes of French revolution

Revolutions take birth from causes

1-Social Causes:
Revolutions are not about trifles, but they spring from trifles
(Aristotle)

Hope to the French revolution was given by industrial revolution. Before revolution people were
thinking of change. Something was being cooked in their minds; Industrial revolution just added the fuel
to fire.
It is impossible to predict the time and progress of
revolution. It is moved by its own mysterious laws, but when
it comes, it moves irresistibly
(Vladimir Ilyich Lenin)
a- Estates in France:
Estates

Clergy

Nobles

People of Priesthood

Commoners

Feudal Lords

Privileged Class

Tax Payers

Under-privileged

b- Privileges of Clergy:
Clergy class included the religious leaders and people. Their income was based upon gifts and
religious funds. The privileges of the clergy dated back to the medieval times when the Church
was supposed to be the guardian of the weak. Church suffered in account of corruption but still I
18th century clergymen enjoyed many old privileges. Those people who wished to have better
position and influence they joined the religious community. Clergy owned 1/5th of the total land.
Out of 2 million French, 1500000 were nobility or clergy. They were exempted of taxes rather
they received 10% of the total tax money. They, along with the nobles imposed taxes upon the
commoners which came up with a strong revolt.
c- Privileges of Nobles:
They were the second estate and the hereditary class, comprising of the administrators, traders
and all the economic persons. Nobles kept themselves aloof from the commoners and were
jealous of their rights. New people were appointed in nobility by the monarchy, or they could
purchase rights and titles, or may join by marriage. They owned large castles and properties.
They did not pay any direct taxes and were exempted of indirect taxes.
Classification of Nobles

Big Nobles

Lesser Nobles

Big nobles lived within the courts, Led luxurious life and they fought with each other to win kings favor.
Their tyrannical bailiffs were crueler than them, who looked after their estates and extracted taxes from
the peasantry, in their absence. The more money they generated, he more share they got.
The lesser nobles lived an idle, gay and purposeless life, contributed very little to countrys economic
and political life. They claimed the same privileges as that of big nobles and were exempted of taxes.
d- Miseries of the commoners:
The third estate comprised of peasants and the newly generated middle, bourgeoisie class. They
were the tax payers and laborers. Masses of this class were the servants in military. They had
less land. They also included averagarian laborers.
Peasants were subjected to triple taxation they paid taxes to the king, nobles and the clergy.
The king claimed both, direct and indirect taxes. Direct taxes consisted of the land tax, poll tax
per head and income tax which amounted to the 1/20th of the peasants income. Indirect taxes
comprised salt tax or gabelle, customs, duties and corvee or forced labor on the roads.
Bourgeoisie was the new middle class steadily emerged through the last two or three centuries
as a result of the industrial revolution. They had become fairly rich on the basis of their
overseas trade in tobacco, wine, spices, tea etc. But they belonged to the under privileged class
so they had to pay tax. They did not match with the wealth with that of the nobles. There was a
slight difference that they were more intellectual than nobles. Being inspired by the French
philosophers and the American Revolution, they had a strong revolutionary spirit in them.

2- Economic causes:
History reminds us that dictators and despots arise during times of severe economic crisis.
(Robert Kyiosaki)
In any country where economy is good, revolutionists are not present
a- Seven Years war (1756-1763):
There is one event in history of France which led to the French revolution, the seven years war.
This war was fought between Great Britain and France on the issue of colonies. If seven years
war would not have been fought, the revolution would never have come. French army
participated in this war which led France to economic deprivation. Poverty increased and an
economic depression prevailed in the state of France. This war became an indirect cause of
lawlessness in France. It was primarily a test for France, if France was succeeded; the revolution
would never have come as whatever France had in shape of money was used in war efforts.
b- Choices for the government after the war:
In order to control the economic crises, the French government had only two choices.

Control the economic depression

Control the expenses

Seek new opportunities for investment

(New Colonies)

c- Financial Causes:
The issue behind the economic crises was seven years war. It basically exacerbated the
situation. King did not pay any attention to control the crises instead he frequently changed the
ministers.
Estate General of 1789:
The estate general of 1789 was the first meeting summoned by the King Louis XVI in
order to propose solutions for the economic problems of the government.

All the three estates (Nobles, Clergy and commoners) were called. The third estate was
middle class.
If in any country the middle class is sleeping, that means that the state is in static form,
otherwise it is in dynamic form.
They signed a Memorandum (white paper) named as cahiers (Grievances of
French), which was based upon the demands of the French middle class.

Demands in memorandum:
Commoners claimed in the estate general that clergy and nobles are unite against the
benefits of the commoners.
They raised their voice of equal representation with the combined representation of
the clergy and nobles.
If they cannot get the equal representation, then the nature of the feudal institution
should be changed.
Monarchy was highly criticized.
They suggested constitutional reforms.
The memorandum was signed by 60,000-70,000 people.
Reforms:
Controlled government and king should be present.
Representation of middle class was suggested.

Kings speech May 5, 1789:

After the suggestions in estate general by the commoners class, king addressed the nation but
he did not mention a single word about the rights and representation of the middle or
commoners class.
May 6, 1789:
3rd estate forwarded their demands. They thought it is now useless to attend the meeting of
estate general.

Demands:
Either representations should be equal or 3 houses should be made in the parliament.
Jacques Necker:
He suggested that reform should be introduced and every class should pay tax. As a result, he
was replaced by some other minister.

Oath of Tennis Courts May 10, 1789:

Commoners went to attend the meeting of estate general.

King stopped them from entrance by giving order to close the gates.
People gathered in the tennis courts, gardens outside the estate general/
They took oath that king has shut the doors for them, so they will not be a part of estate
general.
They proclaimed themselves as the National Assembly.
Bailey was made their speaker who was a national astronomer.
Mirabew was the other, who was a noble.
They started their work.
Uptil this, no violence was there.

Storming of Bastille July 1789:

Bastille jail was put on fire by the revolutionaries.

Revolutionary life started.
People started standing practically up for their rights.

At this point, after the Bastille was put on fire, Sieyes, a French constitutionalist issued a
pamphlet:
He asked himself:
What is the third state of politics?
He himself answered:
Everything
Again asked:
What has been in politics up till now?
Again answered:
Nothing
Again asked:
What does it desire?

Answered:
To become something

3- Political Causes:
Degeneration of Monarchy:

After the economic depression created by seven years war, the king and queen were not ready
to adjust with the scenario at hand.
He continued their elite lifestyles.
They did not control their expenses.
Yet it was an alarming situation for the monarch.
If economy would have been stable, no revolutionary ideas would have been occurred.
King Louis XVs wife Madame Pompadour and King Louis XVIs wife Madame Marie Antoinette
were sisters of the king of Austria.
They had hatred for the French people.
They hindered in the work of king for the benefits of the people.
Thus, king followed his wife and made ill decisions.

Centralization of administration:
Squandering of wealth:

Louis XV participated in war, infinite use of money.

Madame Pompadour had 250 servants who were a burden on the already declining economy of
France.

Legal and administrative confusions:

In case of any crime, the officials had to ask the king what to do next.
There were no definitive laws.

American war of independence:

Absence of National Representative Organization:

4- Intellectual Causes:
Intellectual causes of French revolution consist of the role played by the philosophers in generating a
revolutionary spirit in that time in France. They influenced the minds of people. They gave voice to the
thoughts of French people who were suppressed and deprived.
Philosophers

Rousseau

Montesquieu

Voltaire

Encyclopaedists

Rousseau:

Rousseau is said to be the prince of revolution.

He gave the famous slogan of the French revolution Equality, Liberty, Fraternity.
He gave the theory of social contract in which he described that French people have given their
powers to the king. This creates a sort of agreement between the people and the king.
If the king violates this agreement, he will be violator because he is not fulfilling the terms and
conditions of the agreement.
In case of this violation, the security which the people have given to him, people should also not
follow the agreement and snatch the power back.
Intellectuals of France provoked the have nots to make new social contracts and agreements.
Due to their ideas, every preamble in France had become a hub of revolution

Philosophers had a very important role in awakening people of France.

Wake-up call for people who were in a deep sleep.

Voltaire:

He was a great dramatist, stage play writer.

Criticized the situation of France during the revolutionary era.
Belonged to the middle class.
Had his connections with kings, elite and middle class.
He criticized the French society and highlighted that people are being exploited by the elite
(nobles)
Exploitation on the name of God was also being done by the Clergy.
Criticized French church that it gained taxes on the name of God.
He stated that if God gave the equal system then why only one class should pay tax?
If God is present, why this inequality is present?
If a system cannot give equality and equal rights to the people then it should be demolished

He was an atheist.
He led people to destruction and violence.
He was the flag bearer of:
Liberalism, away from church

Montesquieu:

He studied British governmental system.

He got education for the system of British.
He becomes inspired by the equality in there.
He wanted the same equality in France.
Being a political scientist he gave the Theory of Construction.

He gave the concept that every institution should work independently without any influence
(Executive, Legislature Judiciary).
These intellectuals tried to save their nation by giving these sorts of theories.
In a land of no Parliament, the men of letters had come to be politicians
(Prof. Hazen)