Introduction
The French revolution is seen as a period of both social and political upheavals in the History of Europe and France. During the early ages, the French government which was an absolute monarchy with feudal privileges for both the Catholic and aristocracy underwent a period of enlightenment on nationalism, inalienable rights, and citizenship. During this period, several changes were accompanied by violent turmoil and warfare which involved major European power.
There were other subsequent events during this period some of which include, Napoleonic Wars, the modern French revolution, and the restoration of the monarchy. France was later governed by a dictatorship. The French revolution was not only a crucial event in western history but was also of crucial influence to the philosophical, British intelligence, and political life in the 19th century. During its first times, it was portrayed as a triumph of forces of reason and was welcomed by English radicals who saw it as a symbolic act that presented the return of humanity to the state of perfection from which it had fallen away. It was the French revolution that was seen to overthrow this old regime to the French people. (Doyle, 1990).
Historical factors
The French revolution is also associated with historical factors. It’s argued the cause of the French revolution is subject to historical debate. France is one of the most powerful nations in Europe. The masses of the European powers had less freedom and a higher chance of arbitrary punishment. France in 1787 was an absolute monarchy. This monarchy was an unknown form of government during that time since most of the European countries did not use this form of government. The kings during this time acted theoretically and their power was curtailed by prerogatives of the remnants of feudalism.
This revolution provided the world with its first meaningful experience with political ideology. It did many things; it unleashed new forces, destroyed the old ideas, and offered new promises. It was the people who made the revolution who came up with these ideas and promises. Many historians see the French revolution as the encounter of competing classes. The revolution is seen, to begin with, as an aristocratic protest against the absolute monarchy requested by Louis XIV. The bourgeois movement seeking fundamental political change and taking popular dimensions with the working class led also to this revolution.
During the 18th century, political life was the reassertion of the French nobility. This revolution led to the massive shifting of powers from the Roman Catholic Church to the state. The church during this time was the largest landowner in the country. It was during this time the legislation abolished the church authorities to heavy taxation on crops which were known as a dime. Certain privileges to the clergy were canceled and took the church property.
All the church property was confiscated and this cat led to a response by the archbishop of Aix. It was during the same year which saw violent repression of the clergy including the massacre and imprisonment of priests in France. The French revolution lasted for ten years. It was a successful revolt by the people since it resulted in the execution of the king and eventually the collapse of the old regime. (Furet, and Denis, 1970).
Social causes
The French resolution bases its causes on social factors. This can be shown by Marxist explanations during the 20th century. During that time, social factors were pushed aside. This was as a result of the bourgeois class emerging from the commercial links. It was the emergence of bourgeoisies that led to the disappearance of social factors. But French revolution can also be associated with social explanations.
In the Marxist interpretation of this revolution, the evolution has hinged on understanding one or another social group. The French revolution is intensely social. During this period, the bourgeoisie, thwarted by the nobility, realized its identity as a class and sought power against their social betters. Social classes in France were related to genealogy and antiquity. The basic divisions in French were derived from the social-economic class distinctions.
The popular slogans generated by the revolution, equality, liberty, rights, and fraternity of man did not express equality. During the old age, the bourgeoisie dominated the French at the expense of the peasants. Most of the workers did the work in these farms which was to benefit the wealth in these communities. They used to exchange their labor for low wages, as Marx puts it in his explanation. The peasants were also highly taxed compared to the wealthy and the clergy and this led to a major debate on this issue. It was due to this then the French revolution was established which was seen to control all these problems by overthrowing the old regime. (Furet, and Denis, 1970).
Economic factors
There was a lot of economic unrest characterized by the old regime and this was under king Louis XV1. Eventually, this unrest erupted into an economic crisis. Most of these crises were a result of economic problems for instance the lack of national financial infrastructure during the old regime. The old regime had no national bank not even a centralized national treasury for these finances. This led to the many economical crises in France and hence the start of the French revolution to remove this old regime.
France is one of the most richest and powerful nations in Europe. It is considered as the most urbanized country with communities over 2,000 which are urban and with most of its people above average. It also has 28 million inhabitants. Most of its land ranging from 250,000 square kilometers is under cultivation. Despite the wealth of this country, during the old regime, there was no national financial treasury for this. There were a lot of inequalities when paying the tax.
The tax was levied differently among the residents and also this led to the economic crisis. The peasants were paying differently from the wealthy, clergy. The revenue which was got from the tax was also poorly planned to lead to further borrowing from the other countries at such a high interest rate to finance the country’s wars and security measures. Louis XV1 led an extravagant lifestyle with his wife until the rise of the French revolution. Eventually, the French revolution succeeded in overthrowing the old regime which had ruled France throughout the ages. The start of the French revolution gave hope to its people. (Hampson, 1975).
Political factors
During the old regime, the country was under a strong monarchy and the clergy. The most powerful and the wealthy during that time used their political powers on the peasants. The feudal form of government whereby work and productivity were dominated by the bourgeoisie led many peasants to suffer. It was only the French revolution that would overthrow this form of government since it favored the most powerful and the rich. During the French revolution, the French political conflicts were marked by absolute power and little to no say in government affairs by the people. There was also a lack of political voice during this time and a lack of human rights during that time which contributed to much civil unrest.
The politics of the French revolution drove France towards the war with Austria and its allies. Most of these kings during this time wanted to wage war. The king expected this war to increase his popularity. It was on 20th, 1792, when France declared war on Austria. During this war, so many buildings were destroyed and many people lost their lives.
The war had so many impacts on the people and so many places were destroyed including the storming of the Tuileries Palace. The war continued until the constitution met and eventually became the new de facto government of France. This was the beginning year of the French revolution calendar. (Kennedy, 1989).
Conclusion
The French revolution was a result of the political evils arising during the old regime. There were so many factors that led to the French revolution and include political factors, social factors, economic and historical factors. It was due to these factors some of which were very pressing which saw the rise of the French revolution. The French revolution was the only hope for the French people due to the many problems experienced by the old regime.
There were so many political problems leading to so many wars during that time. During the old regime, the government was under the political monarchy and the clergy. The government under power used the feudal movement to control the country. This form of government favored the wealthy and the most powerful at the expense of the peasants. So many political, social, and economic problems rose during that period. It was the French revolution that was thought to overthrow this feudal government so that people could be in a position to stay a normal life. During the old regime, many buildings including the Tuileries Palace were stormed; many clergy and massacre were also arrested during that time.
Reference
Doyle, W. (1990). History of the French Revolution.Oxford.Oxford University Press.
Furet, F. and Denis, R. (1970). French Revolution. Macmillan Press.
Kennedy, E. (1989). A Cultural History of the French Revolution. Yale University Press.
Hampson, N. (1975). The French Revolution. A concise History. Charles Scribner’s Sons.