CAUSES OF FRENCH
REVOLUTION
POLITICAL CAUSES
“The French terror was a terrible thing and yet it was a flea bite compared to
the chronic ills of poverty and unemployment”
The political causes of the French Revolution were deeply rooted in the structure and
functioning of the absolute monarchy, the lack of political representation, and the
growing discontent with the unjust and outdated political system
1.THE DESPOTIC RULE OF THE KINGS(LOUIS XVI)
a. No proper sessions of Estate General CLERGY NOBILITY PEASANTS
b. King – sole repository of sovereign power
c. He could do anything , without fear of impeachment
d. He could throw anything into prison
e. Used to prevent any criticism of his policies by clamping a rigid censorship
1789----king louisXVI
Deputies from all three estates were called in the meeting
2. LACK OF POLITICAL REPRESENTATION
❑ The French society was divided into three estates:
• First Estate: Clergy
• Second Estate: Nobility
• Third Estate: Commoners (bourgeoisie, peasants, workers)
❑ The Third Estate made up about 97% of the population but had little to no political power.
❑ The Estates-General, which was the French representative assembly, had not been called for over
175 years before 1789.
❑ Even when it was called, each estate had one vote only, allowing the clergy and nobility to outvote
the Third Estate, despite their majority in population.
3.ROTTEN ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM
❑Centralized and Corrupt Bureaucracy
• The French monarchy had created a highly centralized administrative system where all
decisions were made in Paris, ignoring local needs.
❑Inequality in the Legal and Administrative System
• France had different laws and administrative rules in different provinces (overlapping
legal codes, privileges, and feudal customs).
• The nobility and clergy (First and Second Estates) were often exempt from laws or
taxes that applied to the common people (Third Estate).
• There was no unified judicial system; justice was slow, expensive, and biased in favor of
the elite.
Lack of Representation and Participation
• The Estates-General, the traditional national assembly, had not been called since
1614 until 1789.
• Ordinary people had no voice in how the country was run, and their grievances
were ignored.
• Local governance was dominated by noble privileges, excluding the growing
bourgeoisie and commoners
CORRUPTION AND INEFFICIENCY IN
ADMINISTRATION
• The government was filled with corruption, favoritism, and inefficiency.
• Nobles and clergy held top positions not by merit but by birthright, often being incompetent or
indifferent to the needs of the common people.
• The legal and bureaucratic systems were outdated, slow, and heavily biased against the poor.
For Example:
The poor were heavily taxed, while nobles and clergy were often exempt, creating
widespread resentment.
3.IMPACT OF THE COSTLY WARS ON
FRANCE
IMPACT OF OUSTING TURGOT AND NECKER ----
TWO REFORM MINDED MINISTERS OF KING
LOUIS XVI
• Both men attempted to fix France’s financial crises through moderate reforms
• Tried to reduce government spendings and abolish feudal dues and privileges
• Proposed taxation of the first and second estates
• They were dismissed due to pressure from nobility in July 1789
ECONOMIC CAUSES
“THE NOBLES FIGHT,
THE PEOPLE PAY,
THE CLERGY PRAYS”
The French economy in the 18th century was in deep crisis. A combination of royal extravagance, an
unfair tax system, rising prices, and increasing poverty created widespread economic suffering—
especially among the Third Estate (commoners), who bore most of the burden. These hardships were key
factors that fueled revolutionary sentiment.
1.THE RISE OF THE MIDDLE CLASS IN
ECONOMIC SPHERE
By Economic Growth but No Political Power
• The bourgeoisie (middle class) included merchants, bankers, lawyers, doctors, and educated
professionals.
• They had economic power but no say in government or policy-making.
• Political offices and privileges were reserved for the nobility, creating deep frustration.
2.INEQUITABLE SYSTEM OF TAXATION:
The Third Estate (about 97% of the population), including peasants, workers, and the middle
class, paid almost all the taxes.
Taxes included:
• Taille (land tax)
• Gabelle (salt tax)
• Tithe (10% income tax to the Church)
• Feudal dues to nobles
• Forced labor (corvée) for public projects
The injustice of this system led to growing resentment and calls for reform.
3.THE CHARACTER OF QUEEN ANTOINETTE-
LAVISH SPENDING BY THE MONARCHY
o Interference of Queen in state affairs
o The royal court, especially under Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, spent excessively on:
❖ Luxurious palaces (like Versailles)
❖ Costly celebrations, fashion, and personal luxuries
o She was hated by commoners - earned the nickname “Madame Deficit” because of her
extravagant lifestyle.
4.THE FAMINE OF 1788-89
The famine of 1788–89 played a crucial role in sparking the French Revolution. It was not just a
natural disaster—it exposed the deep economic inequality, administrative failure, and suffering of
the common people under the Ancien Régime.
The price of bread, the main food of the poor, skyrocketed, leading to widespread hunger.
CONTINUED..
• 1. Crop Failure and Harsh Weather:
In 1788, France experienced severe weather conditions—hailstorms, droughts, and a harsh winter—that led to widespread crop failure. The harvest
was disastrously poor, especially for wheat, which was the staple food of the people.
• 2. Soaring Food Prices:
As a result of the failed harvest, the price of bread—the basic diet of most French people—skyrocketed. For many peasants and urban workers, bread
became unaffordable. In Paris, the price of bread nearly doubled. Hunger turned into starvation.
• 3. Widespread Starvation and Unrest:
The famine caused intense suffering among the poor. Malnutrition, disease, and despair spread across both rural and urban are as. Hungry and
desperate people began to riot, loot bakeries, and protest in markets. This civil unrest created a sense of chaos and urgency.
• 4. Government Inaction and Loss of Trust:
The French monarchy and administration failed to provide effective relief. Grain hoarding by nobles and corrupt officials further worsened the
situation. The people began to lose faith in the king's ability to rule and protect them.
• 5. Revolutionary Mood Intensified:
The famine heightened anger against the privileged classes and contributed to the revolutionary spirit. It fueled the belief that the monarchy was out
of touch with the people's suffering. Combined with high taxes, unemployment, and inequality, the famine acted as a trigger for revolution.
SOCIAL CAUSES
“The revolution of 1789 was much less a rebellion
against the despotism than a rebellion against inequality”
1.THE RIGID SOCIAL STRUCTURE
• French society before the revolution was divided into three rigid hierarchial states:
1.First Estate: The Clergy
Church officials (1% of the total population)
Owned about 20% of land in France
Paid no taxes
1/5th of France property belonged to higher clergy
lived in privilege and luxury
• 2.The Second State: The Nobility
Comprised of 1000 families who lived at Versailles
Paid almost no taxes
All of the administration almost belonged to Nobles
Contributed little to the economy
3.The Third Estate : Common People
97% of the population( 23 million out of 25 million of French population)
Included peasants , urban wokers, artisans and the middle class
• Carried the burden of almost all taxes
• No political rights
• No prospect of justice in case of dispute with the landlord
2.FEUDAL OPPRESSION
• Peasants were still subject to feudal lords , forced labour and payment to local lords
• They had to pay taxes to three different authorities :the king, the church and the local nobility
3.LACK OF SOCIAL MOBILITY
• Social positions were based on birth, not merit
• Talented individuals in the third estate could not rise in rank or status ---- causing frustation
GENERAL CAUSES
❖ Commissioned ranks----- restricted only to those who belonged to nobility
❖No discipline in the army
❖Democratic ideas– taken from American war of independence e.g., no taxation without
representation
“The war of American Independence became an eye opener to the nations of Europe and in
particular gave leaders to the French Revolution”
INFLUENCE OF ENLIGHTENMENT IDEAS
• The middle class was well-educated and read the works of philosophers like Rousseau, Voltaire,
and Montesquieu.
• They believed in liberty, equality, democracy, and merit-based success — not privilege by
birth.
• These Enlightenment ideals motivated them to demand change.
PAST PAPER QUESTIONS
• Rational ideas and fear determined the course of French Revolution in the 18th century.
Discuss
1-Introduction
2-Rational Ideas – A Guiding Vision for French Revolution
i. Influence of Enlightenment thinkers : Rousseau , Montesqieu
ii. Rational Democratic Ideas : American war of independence( equality,freedom of speech)
iii. Rise of Middle Class in education
3-Fear--- Fueling French Revolution
i. Fear of Counter Revolution from monarchists
ii. Mob violence-storming of Bastille
iii. The fear of poverty and famine
iv. Internal chaos and civil war in the country-Loss of trust of people In king lead to chaos
4-Conclusion
