The time period known as the Long 19th century stretches from 1750 to 1914. Many important themes were prevalent during this era. Themes that not only change certain areas but also began to shape the world we live in today. Revolutions are an important theme of the 19th century. The word revolution comes from the Latin word revolutio meaning “a turn around”. A revolution is when some, or all of a nation’s government, political, social or economic system is replaced or changed to fit the needs of its people. Often times violence, such as riots, civil wars and executions accompany a revolution. Most often, one part of a society is benefiting while another part is being oppressed and starved of its needs. The latter of the two groups is most likely
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The French realized a revolution could be just what they needed. France’s involvement in supporting the American Revolution had led to the economic plight on the country. As a result, the middle class and the poor suffered from an increasing tax burden. By 1786, the state was bankrupt. The clergy and nobility avoided taxation and demanded that Louis XVI call together the Estates General. The Estates General was much like a legislature in the sense that it levied taxes. The Estates General consists three estates. Both the first and second estates were wealthy. They were exempt from taxes and owned about half of France’s land. The First Estate consisted of the clergy and the Second Estate was the aristocracy. Combined, the first two estates made up less than 3% of the population. The Third Estate made up the remaining 98% of the population. The Third Estate encompassed the peasants, educated middle class, or bourgeoisie, and urban workers, or sans culottes. The Third Estate wanted to be relieved of their heavy tax burden and to a lesser extent, earn political rights. When voting on maters, each estate had one vote, which was practically useless. The votes of the other two estates would always beat that of the Third Estate. The Third Estate demanded that each assembly get a head vote. Allowing for the estates to be represented equally based on the amount of members it had. But they were denied. The Third Estate began meeting without the consultation of the other two estates and on June 17th it declared itself the French National Assembly. Days later, the Third Estate pledged the Tennis Court Oath, vowing not to disband until a new constitution was written for France. In 1788, bad Harvests, unemployment and inflation led to the violent uprisings in the summer of 1789. One such uprising was the storming of the Bastille, a
The French realized a revolution could be just what they needed. France’s involvement in supporting the American Revolution had led to the economic plight on the country. As a result, the middle class and the poor suffered from an increasing tax burden. By 1786, the state was bankrupt. The clergy and nobility avoided taxation and demanded that Louis XVI call together the Estates General. The Estates General was much like a legislature in the sense that it levied taxes. The Estates General consists three estates. Both the first and second estates were wealthy. They were exempt from taxes and owned about half of France’s land. The First Estate consisted of the clergy and the Second Estate was the aristocracy. Combined, the first two estates made up less than 3% of the population. The Third Estate made up the remaining 98% of the population. The Third Estate encompassed the peasants, educated middle class, or bourgeoisie, and urban workers, or sans culottes. The Third Estate wanted to be relieved of their heavy tax burden and to a lesser extent, earn political rights. When voting on maters, each estate had one vote, which was practically useless. The votes of the other two estates would always beat that of the Third Estate. The Third Estate demanded that each assembly get a head vote. Allowing for the estates to be represented equally based on the amount of members it had. But they were denied. The Third Estate began meeting without the consultation of the other two estates and on June 17th it declared itself the French National Assembly. Days later, the Third Estate pledged the Tennis Court Oath, vowing not to disband until a new constitution was written for France. In 1788, bad Harvests, unemployment and inflation led to the violent uprisings in the summer of 1789. One such uprising was the storming of the Bastille, a