What factors led to the French Revolution?
Answer (3)
Some reasons -
They were partly inspired by the American Revolution and the Age of Enlightenment.
The people were tired of being walked on by the upper class.
The King and Queen's luxurious lifestyle sickened the people, as there was so much poverty at the time.
The king's wars and new taxes angered the people.
The French Revolution was the result of a combination of several major factors that created a ripe environment for such a transformative event. Economic hardship was one of the primary causes leading to the revolution. After a series of poor harvests and a state nearing bankruptcy due to the opulent spending of the monarchy and aid given during the American Revolutionary War, the lower classes faced starvation and discontent grew.
The social structure was another contributing factor; the growing middle class was becoming increasingly frustrated with their exclusion from political power, and the aristocracy was resistant to losing its traditional privileges when a land tax was proposed. Additionally, Enlightenment ideas about rights and liberties inspired people from various social classes to question the existing social and political order.
The strain intensified as the government tried to reform the antiquated system, but it was met with resistance and ultimately led to revolution. The Declaration of the Rights of Man emerged as an embodiment of the revolutionary ideals, claiming equality before the law and the provision of basic rights. Furthermore, economic distress provoked direct action, such as the notable march of women to Versailles demanding relief from food shortages, which served to erode the monarchy’s control and trust among the populace.
The French Revolution was driven by social inequality, economic hardships, the influence of Enlightenment ideas, ineffective leadership, and immediate political triggers such as the convening of the Estates-General. Commoners, facing heavy taxation and lack of representation, eventually declared themselves the National Assembly. The storming of the Bastille marked a significant point in this uprising against tyranny in 1789.
;
