The French Revolution

Revolution

A revolution is a change, a sudden and major change in the life of a nation. The term revolution applies to many fields: social, political, economy, culture, morality, science and technical. (Frey, p28-55)

On the political front, a revolution is the abolition of bloody and sometimes brutal manner of the established order and political regime in place and its replacement by another form of government. The characteristic of the revolution against a revolt, an insurrection, a reform or a coup is the establishment of an irreversible new order. Although often present in the political revolution, violence is not necessary to describe it. What matters is primarily the extent and pace of change. (Carlyle, p154-180)

The French Revolution

Great French Revolution reasonably is regarded as the beginning of the modern era. However, the revolution in France itself was part of a broader movement that began before 1789 and which affected many countries in Europe and North America. "The old order (ancient régime) was undemocratic in its very essence. (Hanson, p105-120) With special privileges of the first two estates - the nobility and clergy - to strengthen its position, relying on a system of various state institutions. Board monarch rested on these privileged classes. "Absolute" monarchs can exercise only such a policy and pursue only those reforms that strengthened the power of these classes. (Hanson, p105-120)

French revolution shook the foundations of the old regime. It not only started conflicts between the aristocracy and the royal ministers, but also in economic and ideological factors. Since 1730-ies, the steady increase in prices in the country was caused by the depreciation of metallic money and the extension of benefits for loans - in the absence of economic growth. Inflation struck hardest to the poor. (Frey, p28-55)

At the same time, some representatives of all three estates were under the influence of educational ideas. Famous writers Voltaire, Montesquieu, Diderot, Rousseau suggested to introduce the English constitution in France and the court system in which they believed guarantees of individual liberties and effective government. The success of the War of Independence in the U.S. provided a renewed hope to the strong-minded Frenchmen. (Perry et.al, p454)

Causes of the French Revolution

There were three major causes of the Revolution in 1789 in France, which led to the crisis of the Ancient Régime:

Depression of the 1780s

social tensions between the stands

threat of national bankruptcy by the inability of the State tax reform

The First Estate was made up of religious leaders and the clergy. They represented less than 1% of the people of France. This small minority, however, owned or controlled one-fifth of the land. (Perry et.al, p454) Members of the First Estate enjoyed special rights, including the freedom from carrying the burden of taxes. Among the members of the First Estate were many poor and well-meaning people. The parish priests served the religious needs of their people and received few rewards. Furthermore, there were many bishops and pastors who knew they had unfair privileges. During the food crisis in France though, the first estate did ...