Summary of The French Revolution: Origins and Impact

## Introduction The French Revolution: Causes & Ideology explains why France in the late 18th century moved toward radical change and what ideas inspired people to challenge the old order. This material breaks down economic, social and intellectual causes into clear parts and explains key revolutionary ideas such as liberty, equality and fraternity. ## 1. Economic Causes ### The financial crisis - France had borrowed large sums to pay for wars and the royal household. By the 1780s the government needed loans just to pay interest on existing debt. > **debt**: money that is owed > **interest**: the amount paid on money borrowed - The royal family and high officials lived lavishly while tax revenue was insufficient. ### Unequal taxation - The wealthy groups (nobles and the Church) were largely exempt from taxes. The burden fell on the Third Estate: the middle class, urban workers and peasants. > **tax**: money paid to the government (e.g. income tax, VAT) - Poor harvests, rising bread prices and increased cost of living made poverty worse for peasants and urban workers. Fun fact: Many regions drew up cahiers (lists of grievances) before the Estates General met; these documents asked for concrete reforms like price controls for bread and abolition of some taxes. ### Practical example - When food prices rise but wages do not, families cut consumption or go into debt. This was common among French urban workers in the 1780s and increased anger toward the state. ## 2. Social Structure and Inequality ### The Three Estates Use this table to compare the estates: | Estate | Who belonged | Main privileges or burdens | | --- | ---: | --- | | First Estate | Clergy (bishops, priests) | Owned land; many were wealthy; often tax-exempt | | Second Estate | Nobility | Inherited titles and privileges; held key offices; often tax-exempt | | Third Estate | Bourgeoisie (middle class), urban workers, peasants | Paid almost all taxes; had limited political rights | > **peasant**: a person who works on the land > **clergy**: religious leaders who worked for the church (e.g. bishops, priests) > **noble**: a person of high social rank (e.g. with the title "Lord" or "Lady") ### How the system kept peasants poor - Many peasants did not own the land they worked and owed dues or corvées (forced labour) to seigneurs. - Laws and customs gave nobles and clergy legal advantages and access to offices, keeping political power concentrated. Did you know that the Third Estate made up about 98% of the population yet lacked influence in government decision-making? ## 3. Political Causes: Absolutism and Lack of Reform - France was an absolute monarchy under Louis XVI: the king held supreme power and decisions often reflected royal will. > **title**: a word used to show someone's rank or position > **privilege**: an advantage that one group has because of its position - Because the Estates General had not met for 175 years, calling it in 1789 signaled both crisis and opportunity: people expected reforms. Practical example: If a ruler ignores petitions for tax reform, the fiscal pressure and popular anger can build until large-scale political solutions or unrest appear. ## 4. Intellectual Causes: The Age of Enlightenment ### Key ideas - Philosophers promoted reason, science and critical thinking over blind acceptance of tradition and religious authority. > **Age of Enlightenment**: a time when people gained more knowledge and understanding > **philosopher**: someone who writes about the meaning of life - Major thinkers and their contributions: - Voltaire: criticized Church corruption, defended freedom of expression. - Diderot: encyclopaedists compiled knowledge and questioned authority. - Montesquieu: argued for separation of powers and checks on absolute rule. Fun fact: Voltaire spent time imprisoned in the Bastille and later lived in exile for his outspoken views. ### How ideas spread and mattered - Books, pamphlets and returned soldiers who fough