The Causes and Impact of the French Revolution America’s triumph over Britain in 1783 ignited the belief that a revolution could spark the necessary economic, social, and political changes that the impoverished masses in France so desired. Famine, disease, and poverty swept through pre-revolutionary France. These factors entwined with the despot political system inflamed a decade long revolution and catapulted France from a feudal society into a dominant world force. The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789 marked the beginning of radical changes for the country of France the same way the Massachusetts’ “shot heard around the world” on April 19, 1775 marked the beginning of dramatic changes for the colonies of America. The French people revolted
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The French society during the 1790s was primarily feudal and operated on a social class structure. The clergy, most of whom lived as lavishly as the king, made up the First Estate. They did not pay any taxes to the king. The nobility, who comprised the Second Estate, also did not pay taxes to the king “Third Estate formed a heterogeneous class. The farmers, cobblers, sweepers and other lower classes belonged to this class.” This heavy taxation posed an even greater burden to the farmers, who accounted for 82-88% of the whole population, since their crops were ruined due to drought and their live stock were infected with disease.( http://alphahistory.com/frenchrevolution/third-estate/ ) Since the other two estates did not pay taxes, the finical burden rested solely on the group of people who could not afford to pay and who were suffering the greatest plight. Constant hunger and deplorable living conditions enveloped the Third Estate (alpha) The Third Estate deeply resented the two more privileged Estates. They demanded that the taxation and the food be shared
The French society during the 1790s was primarily feudal and operated on a social class structure. The clergy, most of whom lived as lavishly as the king, made up the First Estate. They did not pay any taxes to the king. The nobility, who comprised the Second Estate, also did not pay taxes to the king “Third Estate formed a heterogeneous class. The farmers, cobblers, sweepers and other lower classes belonged to this class.” This heavy taxation posed an even greater burden to the farmers, who accounted for 82-88% of the whole population, since their crops were ruined due to drought and their live stock were infected with disease.( http://alphahistory.com/frenchrevolution/third-estate/ ) Since the other two estates did not pay taxes, the finical burden rested solely on the group of people who could not afford to pay and who were suffering the greatest plight. Constant hunger and deplorable living conditions enveloped the Third Estate (alpha) The Third Estate deeply resented the two more privileged Estates. They demanded that the taxation and the food be shared