Causes of the French Revolution

Causes of the French Revolution 1. Influence of the Enlightenment Philosophers Challenged the theory of “Divine Right of Kings” Quote from Voltaire, “A little evil is often necessary for obtaining a great good.”

Causes of the French Revolution 2. The Social Structure in France A. The Old Regime The Three Estates Taxes were uneven (the poor paid almost everything) B. Peasants not as oppressed in France as in other countries Revolution often occurs NOT when conditions are the worst People begin to expect better conditions.

Causes of the French Revolution 3. Growing middle class Known as the Bourgeoisie Gaining wealth & Demanding a voice France contained the most numerous, prosperous, and influential bourgeoisie – middle class in all of Europe Furnished the revolution with its principal leaders

Causes of the French Revolution 4. Ongoing Financial Crisis A. Massive Debt Huge war debt left over from Louis XIV Inability to solve the tax situation Two failed attempts: Turgot tried to tax all three Estates (ideas were shut down by the Parlements & the “Flour War”) Necker strategy of borrowing money Interest alone on the debt was more than 50% of France’s income

Causes of the French Revolution 4. Ongoing Financial Crisis (continued) B. Continued Spending and Corruption Louis XVI had the most extravagant and most corrupt court in all of Europe Louis support of the American Revolution (100% of this money was borrowed)

Causes of the French Revolution 5. High prices, famine, cold and mobs Ongoing issues of unemployment in Paris – up to 50% unemployment Constant food shortages – intensified by the poor harvest in 1788

Causes of the French Revolution 6. The example of the American Revolution 9000 Frenchmen fought alongside the Americans in their revolution Lafayette was a key leader in the American Revolution and the French Revolution

Causes of the Revolution 7. The character of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette Louis XVI was weak an indecisive Antoinette was from Austria People were publishing pamphlets and were spreading rumors about the king and queen