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    Reading French Rev 8

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    carlosballen

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Reading French Rev 8

    Uploaded by

    carlosballen
    2 views2 pages

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    reading french rev 8

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    2 views2 pages

    Reading French Rev 8

    Uploaded by

    carlosballen

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Title: The French Revolution and Its Causes

    The French Revolution, which occurred from 1789 to 1799, was a complex and transformative
    event in French history. It had several underlying causes that contributed to its eruption:

    1. Economic Inequality: One of the primary factors was the stark economic inequality that
    existed in France at the time. The majority of the population, especially peasants and urban
    workers, lived in poverty. They were burdened with heavy taxes, while the nobility and clergy
    enjoyed exemptions from taxation.

    2. Financial Crisis: France was facing a severe financial crisis largely due to extravagant
    spending by the monarchy. King Louis XVI and his queen, Marie Antoinette, lived in luxury at
    the Palace of Versailles, incurring enormous debts for the country. Efforts to reform the
    financial system often met resistance from the privileged classes.

    3. Enlightenment Ideas: The Enlightenment, a philosophical movement of the 18th century,


    spread ideas of liberty, equality, and the rights of man. French thinkers like Voltaire, Rousseau,
    and Montesquieu promoted these ideas, inspiring the population to question the existing
    social and political structures.

    4. Social Unrest: The widespread poverty and hunger in France led to social unrest. Poor
    harvests and rising food prices exacerbated the suffering of the common people. Riots and
    protests became more frequent as a result.

    5. Political Unrest: France had an outdated and unequal political system. The Estates-General,
    a representative assembly, was convened in 1789 to address the financial crisis, but it
    highlighted the unfair distribution of power, as the clergy and nobility had disproportionate
    influence.

    6. Influence of American Revolution: The successful American Revolution of 1776 against


    British rule inspired many in France. It demonstrated that a colonial power could be defeated,
    and it fueled the desire for change and self-determination.

    7. Leadership Crisis: King Louis XVI's inability to address the nation's problems and his
    perceived indifference to the suffering of the people further eroded his authority and the
    monarchy's legitimacy.

    8. Role of Intellectuals: Intellectuals and revolutionary leaders like Maximilien Robespierre


    and Georges Danton played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and mobilizing support for
    the revolution.

    These combined factors created a volatile environment in France, leading to the outbreak of
    the French Revolution in 1789. The revolution would go on to have far-reaching consequences,
    including the fall of the monarchy, the rise of radical political factions, and the Reign of Terror,
    before ultimately culminating in the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte and the spread of
    revolutionary ideals throughout Europe.

    1. How do you think the spread of Enlightenment ideas influenced the French
    Revolution, and why were these ideas so appealing to the French people at
    the time?
    2. In what ways did the economic and social conditions in France contribute to
    the outbreak of the French Revolution, and how did they impact different
    segments of society?

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