So source C claims the “National Assembly” was a brilliant invention that brought the nation together and help appease the masses. While source D classes the “National Assembly” as an even bigger burden on the people than the previous regime. It created more problems than they prevented.
Question 2: Compare Sources B and D as evidence of the state of mind of the common people of France in the early summer of 1789.
Source B is a statement by the President of the Barony of Thodure in June 28th 1789. He talks about the unrest and conspiracies floating around the masses in an attempt for them to become equal and more independent. He believes these “endless hostile projects of this sort spring from that spirit of equality and independence which prevails in men’s minds today.” The endless projects he mentions, are as stated in this source, include attacking the nobility and/or setting fire to their “castles” in order to burn all their title-deeds.
But he claims that such drastic action is not found in all areas of France. In other more subdued areas, the people meet together regularly and pass resolutions not to pay any more money (in kind or cash) to the nobles of clergy of the state.
Source D also seems to say that unrest and conflict between the people seem to be high during this particular summer. But rather than due to the equality and independence every man wants, the source claims the problem was the lack of food and work. The current socio-economic crisis which affected France was to blame for the high temperature between the people. This led to urban and rural violence increasing dramatically. With it reaching a climax in July1789 with the Fall of the Bastille in Paris, and the “Great Fear” in the countryside. With such high temperatures, the people fused together all the problems (political, financial and socio-economic) and up rose to try and get these problems sorted. But the main reason they were so uneasy was the lack of food and work.
Question 3: “The French Revolution of 1789 was, first, and foremost, a political event, inspired by widespread desire for liberty and equality”. What do you think of this interpretation using all the Sources and your own knowledge?
Source A is in itself a conflict of the ideal that the revolution occurred because of the want for liberty and equality, but also because of the problems the Government was facing. “They are on the eve of some great revolution in the Government: that everything points to it: the confusion in the finances.” This extract is saying that all political signs are pointing to unrest and uprisings in the people caused by mis-management of finances and other such Governmental duties. But the source also points out that the population are uneasy because of their hope and want for liberty and equality. Since they helped in the American Revolution, they have slowly built up a want for the same thing. They believe that if the Americans can break free from the British, then the people of France can break away from their failing Government. In my opinion I do believe that the account is implying that the failing financial system sparked a new want for liberty and equality.
Source B is saying that, “equality and independence prevails in men’s minds today.” They are saying that the want for liberty and equality was programmed into men, and all along they have wanted the chance to bring these ideals into action. So with devious plans to burn the nobles’ castles, and attack the nobles themselves, they are finally showing their ideas. This source implies that the only reason the revolution happened, was because of the want for liberty and equality, nothing else hindered or helped the course of action the people took.
Source C believes that the Revolution took place, although this has to be implied, because of the burdens and problems the Government laid upon its subjects. Although it does not state that liberty and equality were wanted by the people, it can be said this was a possibility of what contributed to the burdens on the people. But I believe the people were burdened by the large number of taxes and dues they had to pay to the Government and land owners. The statement claims that the oppression the ancien regime placed upon the masses caused the main distress and upheaval. For too long had they stood in the corner without a voice, so they came and voiced their opinion.
Source D states quite clearly that the causes of the Revolution were not related to the want for liberty and equality. It was all to do with the problems the country faced. The failing Government no longer seemed to be of any help to the people, and they caused more and more problems as the years went on. The final blow, in the eyes of this statement, was the meeting of the Estates-General. It implied that there was no turning back for the Government, all problems were out of hand and they needed the help of the people. This in itself increased the unrest of the people, other the representation of the “Third Estate”. But also the idea that the political, financial and socio-economic problems were out of control meant that the people became disillusioned with the Government and the current Regime. It wanted change, and they believed the only way to get change was forcefully. Therefore they forcefully brought down the established regime and brought about their own ideals.
From my own knowledge I believe that the Revolution was mainly caused by the socio-economic problems faced by the peasants and the masses. With many failed harvests and rising bread prices, the bulk of France struggled to make a living and feed the family. Also with tithe, seigneurial dues and direct/in-direct taxes rising, people found it harder and harder to scrounge even a measly living. But I do believe that since the American Revolution there was gradually more and more want for change in the way the Government ran the country and its political and financial systems.
In summation of all I have found, both from my own knowledge and the sources, I conclude that, although the want for liberty and equality was high, it was not the only reason for the 1789 Revolution. Governmental problems and rising living costs provoked the people into taking action against the Government. And I believe they saw the only way of getting heard was to forcefully implement their ideas on the Government.
