Source two is likely to have been written by a member of the Bourgeoisie, an increasing restless sect of society similar to the modern day middle class, and is taken from the “cahier of Pleurs.” This document was written in hope of change, it lists the most potent problems and many of them seem to be economy related. It speaks of immense poverty and a decline in the prosperity of the country. It also tells of the increasing burden of taxes being places on the 3rd Estate. These things, we can assume ultimately led to an economic crisis and the fact that the 3rd Estate wrote them in a document asking for change shows they were noticing the impact and that something could be done. This is a key indicator that the economic crisis led to the French Revolution.
Source three, an article in a traditionally royalist newspaper, shows clearly actions that are characteristic of an economic crisis. It tells of a rise in bread prices, the staple food for the urban peasant, and how workshops are deserted as men and women queue for food. The source shows how an economic crisis had escalated from a bad harvest, as there are now no workers; that means no production and effectively puts the economy to a standstill. We must be careful however; at the time this article was printed (late 1789) anyone associated with the monarchy was nervous. This article may have been exaggerated so that it appears to be on the side of the people to avoid later conflict.
Source five has large evidence of a financial crisis. The figures show how real wages have decreased by 15-20% over the 18th century yet rents and tax have all risen substantially. This means the common man has little disposable income and consequently cannot afford to buy many goods. Therefore even though production has increased the population cannot sustain it and this leads to economic decline. The largest development had been due to trade, on average about a 700% increase across the world. This shows the huge amounts of money spent abroad in comparison to home. This source demonstrates huge inflation, which inevitably damages the economy as the primary industry workers’ profit margin disappears. Although this source shows huge evidence for an economic crisis any conclusive statement based on such a vague source as far as its link to the Revolution goes, would be unsustainable.
Many of the sources note how it was not just the economic crisis that was responsible for the French Revolution. In source one we see the opinion that there is a “Prince on the throne…without the resource of a mind that could govern” this is not helpful to a population during a time of change. The source also voices the judgment that the “court is buried in pleasure and dissipation” maybe the dispassionate attitude toward the weak and frivolous monarch was a contributing factor. There is also evidence for this in source three where the writer tells of his visit to Versailles. He voices his disgust at the beautiful bread that the courts are eating compared with the cardboard being offered to the 3rd estate.
Another view voiced by source one is that there may be a change occurring due to enlightened thinking and influence from the American War of Independence. “Great ferment amongst the men” shows that everyone is discussing knew ideas and current affairs this means people were realising things could be better and could have sparked a revolt. Source four supports this, the purpose of this source was to say the lower classes wanted more rights, its key phrase: “considering that ignorance, neglect or contempt of human rights are the sole cause of the public misfortune,” Makes the feelings of the writers very clear. These ideas about human rights would have stemmed from the enlightenment and it is another documents proving a genuine want for change.
There is also evidence particularly in source three that the poor harvest of 1787/88 was a key factor. Hunger ultimately causes discontent; source three shows how the lack of food, especially bread, caused “frequent bloodshed.” This febrile atmosphere and gradual departure from reality caused by the food shortage can, with hindsight, be seen as a prelude to the revolution.
We must also consider that even though an economic crisis was evident it may not have had any link to the Revolution. Source two alerts us to this, it speaks of “listless, numbness, apathy,” none of these are qualities one would expect in a change seeking revolutionist. This source is key in realising that although the economic crisis would have impacted at a higher level it would not directly cause a revolt, it would only spark the revolution if occurring alongside the other factors, the enlightenment, food shortage and poor leadership.
Sarah Sturgeon
