The French Revolution was a significant milestone in European history, remembered by many in historical and literary works. The situation in France, mostly under the leadership of Louis XVI, had a negative influence in France, thus creating a perfect climate for the French Revolution. France was plagued by both debt, and poor France was poverty-stricken and burdened with some of the highest debts. On the financial side, Louis XVI was aided by: Finance Minister Anne Robert Jauques Turgot, and Interior Minister Chretien Guillaume de Lamoignon de Malesherbes (*The economic origins of the French revolution, pg. 4).
Louis introduced some of the most oppressive taxes and instituted financial reforms. Greater reforms were prevented by the opposition of the upper classes and court. This opposition was so strong that Turgot was forced to resign and was replaced by Jauques Necker. Lengthy wars, the support to the American Revolution and the gross amount of taxes paid and the lavish spending of the court contributed to the huge national debt. The government?s financial problems were made worse after 1740 by the renewal of costly wars (the French revolution, pg. 9).
The war of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748) and the Seven Year?s War (1756-1763) were European wars over the domination of central Europe and colonial and commercial wars between France and Great Britain (*Aspects of the French Revolution pg. ).
At their end, in 1763 France had lost almost all of it?s colonial empire in America and India. In 1778 the French launched an attack against Britain in the American Revolution. They were hoping to weaken old rivalries and regain lost colonies. The hopes of the French were not realized and their participation in the war increased an already heavy national debt. After Louis XVI granted financial aid (1778-81) to the American colonies revolting against Great Britain, Necker proposed drastic taxes on the nobility. Necker was forced to resign in 1781 (Louis XVI and M. Antoinette ..pg 37) because of the discontentment of the people. Charles Alexandre deCalonne replaced him in 1783 and borrowed money for the court until the borrowing limit was reached (* Canadian Encyclopedia ref: france, revolution ).
The Essay on Turning Points Neolithic Revolution French Revolution And The Industrial Revolution
Political, social, and economic conditions have often led to revolutions that have changed the course of history for nations and peoples. These revolutions had such a significant impact that they can fittingly be labeled turning points. Two of these turning points, the Neolithic and French Revolutions, have drastically altered the world today. During the Paleolithic Period, which lasted from the ...
The anger of the French people against taxes, debt and lavish spending on the Court resulted in the recall of Necker in 1788, who still could not prevent bankruptcy of the government. During the next couple of years the financial crisis steadily worsened, because the government was bankrupt. Louis was forced to call a meeting with a delegate of the Estates-General, ( a government group consisting of representatives of the clergy, nobility and commoners).
Once in the meeting the Estates-General took power of the government. One of the other causes of the national debt was at the fault of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Louis XVI was described as not overly intelligent, weak and incapable king (* Encarta, ref: Louis XVI).
But he was intelligent enough to get money from the government. It was well known that Louis was more concerned with his own personal affairs than with the interests of the court and the people. Often work bored him and he left his work up to his advisors an ministers. He preferred to spend a lot time and the people?s money on extravagant things, and his wife. Rather than paying back previous debts and helping the situation, he increased taxes on the peasants and spent more money, worsening the predicament. By 1787, the national debt was 112,000,000 livres (* the French Revolution, Albert… pg. 25) and continued to get worse, sharpening the national debt even more.
The Essay on To What Extent Was Louis XVI Responsible For The Revolution In France From 1789 To 1792?
The French revolution took place in France from 1789 to 1792, during the reign of King Louis XVI. It was an expression of discontent from the poor towards the rich, and of how they thought France was governed unfairly. The revolution is considered one of the most important events in human history, as it has continued to shape societies and the ways we live today (Cody, 2008). Through examining ...
In the time leading up into and during the French Revolution there was class tensions, often between the nobility and the peasants. There were also poor living conditions. Some say that these situations are not Louis XVI?s fault but were problems he inherited with the throne. So he cannot be blamed for the events leading into the French Revolution. In this time period there were class tensions. The nobles had all the privileges and rights. The peasants were stepped on from every angle. So what made the nobles so desirable? There was glamour, distinction and recognition that the noble statues brought. They had a range of privileges that they received. Nobles took precedence on public occasions, and carried swords. (the French Revolution, sydenham, ..pg 61)They were entitled to a trial at a special courts. They also enjoyed financial advantages. They paid no duties on transferring feudal property and nobility conferred exemption from the basic tax, le taille (* Oxford, pg. 27) The wealthy consisted of the nobles, clergy and the bourgeoisie and there was approximately 120,000 wealthy. The peasants and commoners (middle and lower class) however were on the bottom and consisted of eighty percent of the population.
They struggled to survive and were heavily taxed. The workers of France ate inferior bread to their betters, and wore clothing made of cheaper material. They spent half of their earnings on bread and were plagued with unemployment. In Paris the gap between the very rich ( minority) and the majority of peasants was large. The crisis of the western world was felt mostly in France. Population increase was accompanied by the fragmentation of peasant holdings, inadequate increase in agriculture productivity and bad harvests after 1770. Both wages of the commoner and the level of employment lagged behind the rising price of grain and other basic necessities. Substantial sections of France were faced with declining standard of living. The result of this was death, emigration, and increased number of beggar, pauper and homeless citizens (* Revolution and Terror in France..pg20).
The peasants were working hard or not at all, and the money they made was spent on bread and taxes. Many people were left homeless because they couldn?t pay the taxes. Even though the ?whole? situation was not Louis XVI?s personal fault, the choices and decisions he formed, made the situation even worse. During Louis XVI?s reign, he made some very poor decisions that could have influenced the end result of the French revolution. Firstly, He was influenced greatly by people around him (* Canadian Encyclopedia, Ref: Louis XVI).
The Essay on How Industrial Revolution Made Life Easier
It would just be unbearable to think that life would be better without the Industrial Revolution. All the inventions that were invented back then are used all the time. The three inventions which are the camera, the light bulb and the locomotive have greatly changed society. Without the light bulb, you couldn't see at night, you wouldn't be able to take pictures of anything for memories if the ...
He was described as not overly intelligent, inexperienced and not completely dedicated to his duties. Through-out his reign (1774-1792) the king was helped/supported and even betrayed by Necker. Necker made a lot of the king?s decisions and persuaded him. He seemed to be on Louis XVI?s side but then Necker published an account of the royal finances, which revealed the heavy costs of the privileges and favoritism. This action, not only went against the monarchy, but earned Necker popular acclaim. Necker also helped Louis decide that the commoners (third estate) would have as many voters as the First and Second Estate (clergy and nobility) combined. But both he and Louis failed to make a ruling on the method of voting (the head count was not granted).
In 1770 Louis married Marie Antoinette, youngest daughter of Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria. She influenced Louis to attend to the interests of Austria, and to ignore the financial crisis in France. She often stood in the way of Louis?s proposed reforms by talking him out of them ( Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette pg 488 ).
She talked him into firing Turgot, who may have been able to prevent the revolution. Her lavish life style and the fact that she was a foreigner made her unpopular with the public. She also influenced Louis to spend incredible amounts of money on her. Secondly, due to the financial problems and the conflict between classes, the year 1788 proved to be difficult for all. All classes were discontent with the Ancien Regime and wanted a change. Louis XVI never took advantage of this situation to introduce new reforms and gain the support of the people. Thirdly, under pressure from nobility and other influential powers, Louis agreed to meet with the Estates-General. Instead this encouraged further criticism of the Ancien Regime and provided a stronger force against the monarchy in France. All in all, Louis was incapable of a strong decision. He should have been capable of overcoming his problems. Louis?s powerful position should have allowed him to force taxes on the nobility. He should have never met with the Estates-General. Instead he should have introduced mild reforms to gain the support of the public. Perhaps if Louis XVI had been a stronger person the nobility, the clergy and his wife wouldn?t have influenced him to As we have noticed, there were many factors/causes that lead to the revolution. Many aspects were piled up and the only was down was the revolution. Many of the answers to our questions are left unknown. If Louis XVI had not been King, would there have been a revolution, or was it inevitable?
The Essay on The French Revolution Causes And Effects
The French Revolution began in 1789, with the meeting of the Estates General, when the delegates swore not to disband until France had a constitution. In Paris, the Bastille, which was a symbol of royal power, was stormed. From 1789-1790 the National Assembly voted for a constitution, and adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man. Also, during that time the royal family of King Louis XVI was ...
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