The French Revolution

625 Words3 Pages
Discuss the political and economic factors that led to the French revolution of 1789: Discuss the political and economic factors that led to the French revolution of 1789: The French revolution began after the downfall in France during 1789. The revolution was triggered by a series of economic and political crises. The Revolution led to many changes in France, which at the time of the Revolution was the most powerful state in Europe. The Revolution led to the development of new political forces such as democracy and nationalism. It questioned the authority of kings, priests, and nobles. The Revolution also gave new meanings and new ideas to the political ideas of the people. Before the French Revolution, France was in a major economic crisis. There was a royal debt; the French government kept spending more money than it was receiving by taxes. This was a direct cause of the economic crises that faced the French Government. This was partly a result of the country's involvement in the American war of independence. The Nobility was called upon to help ease France's economic crisis, but they declined to help out because they were afraid of losing their economic privileges such as high roles in society, not having to serve the king in war as well as not having to pay taxes. The cost of affording a respectable or even a sustained lifestyle had increased rapidly with the rise in bread prices and basic necessities. On top of which the working class was expected to pay heavy taxes to finance the governments running. This obviously led to the feeling of resentment within the bourgeoisie who wanted a more equal system of governance in France. From this point of view they were the forerunners of the whole revolution but there was another side to this social awakening and that was the decrease of importance in the belief of God. The political discontent of France was one of
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