The French Revolution
The French Revolution is seen as a pivotal moment in human history. It began in 1789, dismantling existing
political structures, overthrowing the French Monarchy, and striving to create a fair society with
accountable governance.
Key Events Leading to the Revolution
On 14 July 1789, Paris was in a state of panic as the king ordered troops into the city, leading to fears that
the army would attack the citizens. In response to the perceived threat, about 7,000 concerned citizens
formed a militia and marched towards the Bastille, a fortress-prison symbolising the king's oppressive
power. Their bold attack aimed at seizing weapons and ammunition resulted in a fierce battle, where the
commander of the Bastille was killed, and although only seven prisoners were freed, it was a significant
moment. The fall of the Bastille, combined with soaring bread prices and widespread dissatisfaction,
triggered a series of revolutionary events that eventually led to the king's execution. The fortress was
destroyed, and its rubble was sold as souvenirs.
French Society During The Late Eighteenth Century
In 1774, Louis XVI, a young king married to Marie Antoinette, inherited a France in serious financial trouble.
The country was deeply in debt due to long wars and the extravagant costs of the lavish court at Versailles.
France's support for the American colonies in their fight against Britain only worsened the financial strain,
increasing the debt to over 3 billion livres and leading to high interest rates on loans. To cover with
expenses like the army, government, and court, the king had to raise taxes. However, only the common
people, or the Third Estate, paid these taxes. The term ‘Old Regime’ is usually used to describe the society
and institutions of France before 1789. French society before 1789 was divided into three estates, known as
a society of estates or feudalism. The estates are constituted as follows: (a) The First Estate consisted of
the clergy. The clergy were exempted from paying taxes to the king. (b) The Second Estate consisted of
nobility and was also exempted from taxes. The nobles further enjoyed feudal privileges, which included
feudal dues that they extracted from the peasants. (c) The Third Estate consisted of big businessmen,
merchants, court officials, lawyers, peasants and artisans, landless labour, servants, etc. The Third Estate
comprised both rich and poor persons. The Church too extracted its share of taxes called tithes from the
peasants, and finally, all members of the third estate had to pay taxes to the state. These included a direct
tax, called taille, and a number of indirect taxes which were levied on articles of everyday consumption like
salt or tobacco. The burden of financing activities of the state through taxes was borne by the third estate
along
The Struggle to Survive From 1715 to 1789,
France’s population grew from about 23 million to 28 million. This rapid increase led to a surge in demand
for food, especially bread, which was a staple for most people. However, grain production could not keep
up with this rising demand, causing bread prices to soar. Workers, mainly employed in workshops with fixed
wages, saw their earnings fall behind the rising cost of living. As a result, the gap between the rich and the
, poor widened. Conditions worsened further when poor harvests due to droughts or hail hit, leading to
frequent subsistence crises during the Old Regime.
How a Subsistence Crisis Happens
Subsistence Crisis Growing Middle Class Envisages an End to Privileges
Peasant and Worker Revolts: In the past, peasants and workers protested against rising taxes and food
shortages. However, they lacked the means and proper programmes to bring about significant social or
economic changes. Rise of the Middle Class: During the eighteenth century, a new social group called the
middle class emerged. These individuals earned wealth through overseas trade and the manufacture of
goods like woollen, and silk textiles. This group became prosperous and educated, and they rejected the
idea of privilege by birth. Merchants, Lawyers, and Professionals: The third estate also included merchants,
manufacturers, lawyers, and administrative officials. They believed that social status should depend on a
person’s merit rather than their birth. Philosophical Influence John Locke: In Two Treatises of Government,
Locke challenged the idea of the divine and absolute right of kings. Jean-Jacques Rousseau: He proposed a
government based on a social contract between people and their representatives. Montesquieu: In The
Spirit of the Laws, Montesquieu suggested the division of power into the legislative, executive, and judicial
branches. This idea later influenced the US constitution. Spread of Ideas: The ideas of these philosophers
were discussed in salons and coffee-houses, and circulated through books and newspapers. Many people,
even those who couldn’t read, had access to these ideas as they were often read aloud in groups. Anger
Against Privilege: News that Louis XVI intended to impose more taxes to cover state expenses caused
widespread anger and protest against the privileges of the aristocracy.
The Outbreak of the Revolution Key Events which
lead to Outbreak of French Revolution
a) Taxation: Faced with financial difficulties, Louis XVI needed to increase taxes but lacked the power to
impose them unilaterally. b) Estates General Role: A political body representing three estates: First Estate
(clergy), Second Estate (nobility), and Third Estate (commoners). Meeting Call: Louis XVI summoned the
Estates General on May 5, 1789, for the first time since 1614 to address the tax issue. c) Assembly Setup:
First and Second Estates had 300 representatives each. Third Estate had 600 representatives, seated
separately and at a disadvantage. Third Estate included prosperous and educated members, while
peasants, artisans, and women were excluded but submitted grievances through letters. d) Voting Dispute:
Traditional Voting: Each estate had one vote. Third Estate’s Demand: Voting by individual members,
reflecting democratic principles as proposed by Rousseau. Outcome: Louis XVI rejected the proposal,
leading the Third Estate to walk out. e) Formation of the National Assembly Declaration: On June 20, 1789,
the Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly in the tennis court at Versailles. Objective: To draft a
constitution limiting the monarch’s power. Leaders: Mirabeau: Noble, advocated for dismantling feudal
privileges, gave influential speeches. Abbé Sieyès: Priest, authored the pamphlet "What is the Third Estate?
The Tennis Court Oath f) Popular Uprisings: Economic Crisis: Poor harvests and high bread prices led to
public unrest in France. Bastille Storming: On July 14, 1789, the crowd attacked the Bastille, symbolizing
the start of widespread revolt. Peasant Revolts: Rumors of brigands led to attacks on chateaux, looting,
and burning of manorial records. g) Royal Response and Reforms: Recognition of National Assembly: Louis
XVI accepted the National Assembly’s authority. August 4, 1789 Decree: Abolition of feudal obligations and
The French Revolution is seen as a pivotal moment in human history. It began in 1789, dismantling existing
political structures, overthrowing the French Monarchy, and striving to create a fair society with
accountable governance.
Key Events Leading to the Revolution
On 14 July 1789, Paris was in a state of panic as the king ordered troops into the city, leading to fears that
the army would attack the citizens. In response to the perceived threat, about 7,000 concerned citizens
formed a militia and marched towards the Bastille, a fortress-prison symbolising the king's oppressive
power. Their bold attack aimed at seizing weapons and ammunition resulted in a fierce battle, where the
commander of the Bastille was killed, and although only seven prisoners were freed, it was a significant
moment. The fall of the Bastille, combined with soaring bread prices and widespread dissatisfaction,
triggered a series of revolutionary events that eventually led to the king's execution. The fortress was
destroyed, and its rubble was sold as souvenirs.
French Society During The Late Eighteenth Century
In 1774, Louis XVI, a young king married to Marie Antoinette, inherited a France in serious financial trouble.
The country was deeply in debt due to long wars and the extravagant costs of the lavish court at Versailles.
France's support for the American colonies in their fight against Britain only worsened the financial strain,
increasing the debt to over 3 billion livres and leading to high interest rates on loans. To cover with
expenses like the army, government, and court, the king had to raise taxes. However, only the common
people, or the Third Estate, paid these taxes. The term ‘Old Regime’ is usually used to describe the society
and institutions of France before 1789. French society before 1789 was divided into three estates, known as
a society of estates or feudalism. The estates are constituted as follows: (a) The First Estate consisted of
the clergy. The clergy were exempted from paying taxes to the king. (b) The Second Estate consisted of
nobility and was also exempted from taxes. The nobles further enjoyed feudal privileges, which included
feudal dues that they extracted from the peasants. (c) The Third Estate consisted of big businessmen,
merchants, court officials, lawyers, peasants and artisans, landless labour, servants, etc. The Third Estate
comprised both rich and poor persons. The Church too extracted its share of taxes called tithes from the
peasants, and finally, all members of the third estate had to pay taxes to the state. These included a direct
tax, called taille, and a number of indirect taxes which were levied on articles of everyday consumption like
salt or tobacco. The burden of financing activities of the state through taxes was borne by the third estate
along
The Struggle to Survive From 1715 to 1789,
France’s population grew from about 23 million to 28 million. This rapid increase led to a surge in demand
for food, especially bread, which was a staple for most people. However, grain production could not keep
up with this rising demand, causing bread prices to soar. Workers, mainly employed in workshops with fixed
wages, saw their earnings fall behind the rising cost of living. As a result, the gap between the rich and the
, poor widened. Conditions worsened further when poor harvests due to droughts or hail hit, leading to
frequent subsistence crises during the Old Regime.
How a Subsistence Crisis Happens
Subsistence Crisis Growing Middle Class Envisages an End to Privileges
Peasant and Worker Revolts: In the past, peasants and workers protested against rising taxes and food
shortages. However, they lacked the means and proper programmes to bring about significant social or
economic changes. Rise of the Middle Class: During the eighteenth century, a new social group called the
middle class emerged. These individuals earned wealth through overseas trade and the manufacture of
goods like woollen, and silk textiles. This group became prosperous and educated, and they rejected the
idea of privilege by birth. Merchants, Lawyers, and Professionals: The third estate also included merchants,
manufacturers, lawyers, and administrative officials. They believed that social status should depend on a
person’s merit rather than their birth. Philosophical Influence John Locke: In Two Treatises of Government,
Locke challenged the idea of the divine and absolute right of kings. Jean-Jacques Rousseau: He proposed a
government based on a social contract between people and their representatives. Montesquieu: In The
Spirit of the Laws, Montesquieu suggested the division of power into the legislative, executive, and judicial
branches. This idea later influenced the US constitution. Spread of Ideas: The ideas of these philosophers
were discussed in salons and coffee-houses, and circulated through books and newspapers. Many people,
even those who couldn’t read, had access to these ideas as they were often read aloud in groups. Anger
Against Privilege: News that Louis XVI intended to impose more taxes to cover state expenses caused
widespread anger and protest against the privileges of the aristocracy.
The Outbreak of the Revolution Key Events which
lead to Outbreak of French Revolution
a) Taxation: Faced with financial difficulties, Louis XVI needed to increase taxes but lacked the power to
impose them unilaterally. b) Estates General Role: A political body representing three estates: First Estate
(clergy), Second Estate (nobility), and Third Estate (commoners). Meeting Call: Louis XVI summoned the
Estates General on May 5, 1789, for the first time since 1614 to address the tax issue. c) Assembly Setup:
First and Second Estates had 300 representatives each. Third Estate had 600 representatives, seated
separately and at a disadvantage. Third Estate included prosperous and educated members, while
peasants, artisans, and women were excluded but submitted grievances through letters. d) Voting Dispute:
Traditional Voting: Each estate had one vote. Third Estate’s Demand: Voting by individual members,
reflecting democratic principles as proposed by Rousseau. Outcome: Louis XVI rejected the proposal,
leading the Third Estate to walk out. e) Formation of the National Assembly Declaration: On June 20, 1789,
the Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly in the tennis court at Versailles. Objective: To draft a
constitution limiting the monarch’s power. Leaders: Mirabeau: Noble, advocated for dismantling feudal
privileges, gave influential speeches. Abbé Sieyès: Priest, authored the pamphlet "What is the Third Estate?
The Tennis Court Oath f) Popular Uprisings: Economic Crisis: Poor harvests and high bread prices led to
public unrest in France. Bastille Storming: On July 14, 1789, the crowd attacked the Bastille, symbolizing
the start of widespread revolt. Peasant Revolts: Rumors of brigands led to attacks on chateaux, looting,
and burning of manorial records. g) Royal Response and Reforms: Recognition of National Assembly: Louis
XVI accepted the National Assembly’s authority. August 4, 1789 Decree: Abolition of feudal obligations and
