Origins of the French Revolution - 4242 Words

ORIGINS OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION The causes of the French Revolution of 1787-1789 (Solà © 3) is a subject worthy of investigation because the revolt is an event of crucial importance in Western History. It marked the end of feudalism and the beginning of democracy in France, and can be seen as a turning point for liberty in Europe. To quote the German author Goethe, ‘From this place, and from this day, commences a new era in the world’s history’ (Wright 2). In 1774 when Louis XVI ascended the French throne, he had the potential, if he exerted strength, to rule absolutely over France (Hampson 24), a powerful European nation. Less than twenty years later his monarchy had been replaced by a revolutionary government (Rudà © 34), and†¦show more content†¦(Hampson 31). Calonne did not expect his proposals to be taken well by the aristocracy. This was because, by the second half of the eighteenth century, the group had come to seriously disdain the monarchy. T here were two main reasons for this. The nobility was resentful of King Louis XVI because of the administrative centralization that had been enforced by his Bourbon predecessors (‘House of Bourbon† par 1). Louis XIV, the ‘Sun King’, in particular had been a fervent absolutist. He had limited the influence of his ministers (Fox 137) and had reduced lesser nobles from positions of power to mere adornments of the Court (Goyau â€Å"Louis XIV† par 2). The attitude pervading from this epoch was that the monarchy could ‘impose laws generally on all subjects, regardless of their consent’ (Fox 133). The aristocracy was very bitter about this. The nobility had also lost all respect for the royal family by the later eighteenth century, and did not see them as having the moral fortitude to rule over France. Although Louis XVI himself had cultivated a bad reputation through his antisocial, gluttenous behavior (Lefebvre 25), his wife, Marie Antoinette , was the real problem. She was demonized for her extreme spending habits, her inability to bear a male heir, (Asquith 70) and for supposedly using her influence overShow MoreRelatedOrigins of the French Revolution2047 Words   |  9 PagesBossenga and Andress offer interesting and well-supported perspectives on the origins of the French Revolution and the reasons it came about. Bossenga purports that the public fervor of the time had little to do with the actual revolution, other than providing bodies for insurrection. Rather, the institution of the royal state was an inherently flawed one by the reign of Louis XVI, to the extent that only a full revolution would effectively produce solutions to the problems of the ancien regime. AndressRead MoreThe Economic Origins of the French Revolution2747 Words   |  11 PagesThe inflated opinion the French monarchy had about themselves and other nobles lent itself to how they contributed to and handled the economic downturn in France for centuries prior to the French Revolution. Forming the foundation of many of France’s financial issues, the monarchial system granted royals and the nobles who surrounded them the ability to feel as if they are intended to be superior to the rest of France, a mentality that would last until the French Revolution began. With this monarchialRead MoreThe Influence of Rationalism on the French Revolution1509 Words   |  7 PagesApril 2013 The Influence of Rationalism on the French Revolution What was the driving force behind the French Revolution? Many people may say it was financial, or political, and while I would agree that these things were part of the force that propelled the French Revolution, I would assert that the philosophies of the Enlightenment were the dominant force that blasted late eighteenth century France into revolution . In his article, â€Å"The French Revolution: Ideas and Ideologies â€Å"Maurice Cranston ofRead MoreCauses of the French Revolution During the period of 1789-1799 people lived much differently than700 Words   |  3 PagesCauses of the French Revolution During the period of 1789-1799 people lived much differently than individuals do today and there were many reasons for this. During the French Revolution there was a large amount of taxation for certain class groups, â€Å"While average tax rates were higher in Britain, the burden on the common people was greater in France† (GNU, 2008, pg. 2). Due to these large taxations on the peasants and lower class and not on the clergy and nobles it caused excessive conflict betweenRead MoreComparing The American Revolutionary War and The French Revolution894 Words   |  4 Pagesescape religious intolerance. The Huguenots, who were French Protestants, fled to the colonies as well since they were suffering at the hands of the Catholic Church. So both nations had issues with religion. The French were more impacted by the power of the Church and property rights, which is why there was a lot of issues with the Catholic Church. They didn’t appreciate how the Catholic Church did not h ave to pay taxes. With the French Revolution in France, power went to the state. It was no longerRead MoreThe French Revolution And The Enlightenment1471 Words   |  6 Pagespower. Power now in the hands of the people. Through bloodshed, the radical actions of the French Revolution sparked by philosophies of Enlightenment, will impact the future. Historical figures such as Robespierre heading the Great Assembly will drive change in culture through the revolution, in hopes of achieving enlightened societies. The 18th century marks the beginning of modern history. The French revolution playing a role in furthering Enlightenment, will led to a chain of events that will changeRead MoreThe French Revolution And The 19th Century871 Words   |  4 PagesThe French Revolution took place in the late 18th century which undermined the traditional monarchy of France as well as the hereditary aristocracy. The Enlightenment was an important origin of the French Revolution as people wanted the government to provide natural rights to individuals. They did not seek a violent revolution, however so individuals had strong beliefs in the Enlightenment ideas which led to a revolt. A few important factors had a major impact on the origin of the revolution includingRead MoreIncredible British and French Revolution1701 Words   |  7 Pagesthe eighteenth century was the beginning of Europe’s two incredible revolutions which are the British and French Revolutions. The British Revolution is very different from the French Revolution. Many different events and issues led up to the British and French Revolutions that make them different from one another. For example the primary factor that led to the British Revolution was the power of religion. While, the French Revolution was based upon feudalism as well as the inequality of the third estateRead MoreTo What Extent Was The Enlightenment The Main Driving Force Behind The American And French Revolutions?1479 Words   |  6 Pag esfocuses on the causes of Atlantic Revolutions and will explore the question: To what extent was the Enlightenment the main driving force behind the American and French Revolutions? The years 1685 to 1815 (Strayer, 2011) will be the focus of this investigation to allow for an analysis of the Enlightenment ideas’ impact the need for governmental change in the American colonies and France during the eighteenth century, as well as their governmental influences post-revolutions. †¯ The first source whichRead MoreEssay on Causes and Effects of The French Revolution1402 Words   |  6 PagesThe French Revolution was a time of great social, political and economic tumult in the closing years of the Eighteenth Century. The motivators pushing French citizenry toward revolution are varied in scope and origin. They range from immediate economic woes to an antiquarian class structure. Modern historians still debate the value of the changes that the revolution brought to modern society. The middle class made gains that would never be rescinded, but do revolutions always end in tyranny? In the