Other financial aspects include factors of inequality. French society was divided to 3 Estates – the clergy-1st one, the nobility-2nd one and peasants-3rd one. It was lack of equality of the legal system – the rich /1st and 2nd estate/ were treated lightly and had certain universal privileges - they owned courts, choose their own assembly to control affairs, they were excluded from taxes and collected their own tax from the population. The majority of the population and the poorest were the peasants /3rd estate/. They suffered most from the inequality of the society - the majority of them paid all the taxes –the taille, gabelle and salt taxes. They also faced hierarchy in ‘lettre de Cashet’ - a person had convinced without an opportunity of defense and sent to prison or guillotined.
Another factor affecting the poor situation in France was the Eden Treaty – economic war, which hurt deeply the French Economy, as it set up a tariff on goods. It also gave an opportunity to the French people to questioning the French system. As the King had spent almost all the money of France, he tried rising more fund by general taxes, which only made people angrier and gave them the spark for Revolution.
Another factor was that France lost in battle her 2 most important colonies in India and Canada and with them, their all economic benefits.
Inspired of the weak control of Louis XVI on France and that the country was in front of bankrupt, several ministers, as Turgot and Necker, proposed revisions to the French taxes system so as include the nobles as taxpayers. Turgot abolished sinecures and the corvee, allowed free trade and purpose system of local council, but he was dismissed because of resistance from the provincial courts of appeal. His place was replaced from Necker, who reduced expenses of court at Versailles, reduced favours and pensions and created provincial assemblies.
Unfortunately, Necker and Louis XVI sent support to America’s War of Independence, as they extract revenge against the British after the humiliating Seven Years War. During the last year of support the Government’s financial difficulties reached a state of emergency. Moreover, the French men of America were influenced by the ideas of the Revolution there, such as ’no taxation without representation’, which turn affected their attitudes to the situation in France and came as one of the reasons of French Revolution.
Other factor of the Revolution was the monopoly of the Roman Catholic Church. It enjoyed power and controlled the education system, whereas other public worship, for those who belong to other Churches and religion was not allowed by low. The Roman Catholic Church leaders were extremely rich, enjoyed high status and many of them belonged to the court of Versailles, but seemed to have little interest in the aspects of their positions.
On other hand Parish priests were very poor, but with sincere in the performance of their religious function and was very important for them that the peasants looked for guidance and leadership.
The French people had tolerated the situation for a long term.During the 18th century the middle classes influenced of the ideas and writings of Enlightenment thinkers, as Voltaire, Montesquieu and Rousseau, who not only criticized many of the established conventions and organizations of Church and State, but also in some cases suggested alternative systems and inspired many to believe that something could be change.
Voltaire attacked the established Church and denounced the despotism of the French Government.
Rousseau spread ideas of equality and of the rights of man possessed to life, liberty and property.
Montesquieu ridiculed the principles of divine right and the separation of power between the King and the Government.
In consequences of them, French people were inspired to go against their King.
Other cause was the inspiration of the British system, which was constitutional democracy. Increase contact with Britain caused many people to see their system as infinitely better than the French.
In addition the bad weather and poor harvest caused the hungry poor people of France to go to Paris. They demanded a meeting of the State – General with the hope that something could be changed about their distress and starving. The hungry Peasants vented their anger by attacking the Bastille Prison. The Fall of Bastille at 1789, 14th July for many is known as the beginning of the French Revolution, and is celebrated today.
917 words
