Causes of the French Revolution
- Created by: Stepan Simkin
- Created on: 20-04-13 14:21
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- Causes of the French Revolution
- Ancien Regime
- American War of Independence
- 1778-1783 It had drained an already ailing treasury.
- Many loans were taken to finance the war, and they were all demanding mounting interest payments.
- In supporting the rebels in the AWOI the approximate finance was 1066 million livers (mainly raised through loans)
- Many loans were taken to finance the war, and they were all demanding mounting interest payments.
- Important in terms of influencing enlightenment movement. (Ideas like liberty and freedom from an absolute monarch, and democracy)
- There was no financial gain once the war was won.
- 1778-1783 It had drained an already ailing treasury.
- Enlightenment
- Was a movement which regulated society politics and the economy and even morality.
- Ideas would protect the people from the evils of despotism, feudalism and clericalism (ancien regime).
- Main watchword was liberty, equaluty and fraternity.
- Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains. (Rousseau)
- Movement challenged religious and idea of absoulute monarch.
- King's position as god's representative (divine right) was questioned.
- Thinkers: 1)Voltaire. 2)Montesquieu. 3)John Locke. 4)Diderot. 5)Rousseau.
- Robspeirre was deeply influenced by Rousseau
- Political Crisis
- King: Apathy and Naivity to deal with problems effectively.
- Ancien Regime
- Economic Crisis
- In two years defect has increased by 14 million.
- This is a massive rise. That indicates that the crown is doing nothing to solve the crisis.
- French economy was based on the agriculture - HARVEST GOES WRONG o_O
- There had been a steady and successful trajectory between 1730-1770: good harvest had resulted in good surpluses which contributed to an increase in the population.
- Bad Harvest for over 10 years since 1778 till 1786 - Domino affect: since there was no industrial revolution, bad harvests caused mass unemployment and starvation.
- Because of the harvest landowners were accused of hoarding grain (MADE PEASANTS ANGRY)
- Normally half of the laborers wage would go on bread, 1788-1789 it was 88%.
- By 1788 France was declared bankrupt.
- In two years defect has increased by 14 million.
- 7 Years War
- Was very expensive/financially exasperating for France (especially when losing)
- Suffered major defeats, lost majority of its empire which was one of the sources of income.
- Defeats in India, North America.
- Loss in 7-year war means France feels the need to get revenge on Britain hence their involvement in the AWOI
- King: Apathy and Naivity to deal with problems effectively.
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