6 Questions
Which Enlightenment philosopher emphasized the ideas of equality, liberty, and democracy?
All of the above
What was the main issue with the taxation system in France?
The common people were burdened with heavy taxes
What was a major consequence of France's financial crisis?
The country was on the brink of bankruptcy
What was the main issue with the Estates-General?
It did not represent the common people
What was the impact of agricultural failures on the French population?
Food shortages increased discontent among the population
What was the influence of the American Revolution on the French people?
It inspired the French people to demand similar reforms
Study Notes
Social Causes
- Enlightenment Ideas: Spread of liberal and democratic ideas from philosophers like Rousseau, Voltaire, and Montesquieu, emphasizing equality, liberty, and democracy.
- Social Inequality: Rigid class system with privileges for the nobility and clergy, while the common people (Third Estate) were burdened with heavy taxes and limited opportunities.
Economic Causes
- Financial Crisis: France was heavily indebted from wars, including the American Revolutionary War, leading to bankruptcy and financial instability.
- Taxation: Burdensome taxes, including the taille (land tax) and gabelle (salt tax), disproportionately affected the common people.
Political Causes
- Absolute Monarchy: King Louis XVI's ineffective and authoritarian rule, combined with his wife Marie Antoinette's unpopularity, led to discontent among the people.
- ** Estates-General**: The representatives of the Third Estate demanded a more representative government, leading to the formation of the National Assembly.
Other Factors
- Food Shortages: Agricultural failures and poor harvests led to food shortages, increasing discontent among the population.
- American Revolution: The influence of the American Revolution's ideals of liberty, equality, and democracy inspired the French people to demand similar reforms.
Social Causes
- Enlightenment ideas of Rousseau, Voltaire, and Montesquieu spread, promoting equality, liberty, and democracy.
- Social inequality prevailed, with privileges for nobility and clergy, while the common people (Third Estate) faced heavy taxes and limited opportunities.
Economic Causes
- France faced financial crisis due to debts from wars, including the American Revolutionary War.
- Burdensome taxes, including the taille (land tax) and gabelle (salt tax), disproportionately affected the common people.
Political Causes
- King Louis XVI's absolute monarchy and his wife Marie Antoinette's unpopularity led to discontent among the people.
- The Estates-General representatives demanded a more representative government, leading to the formation of the National Assembly.
Other Factors
- Agricultural failures and poor harvests led to food shortages, increasing discontent among the population.
- The American Revolution's ideals of liberty, equality, and democracy inspired the French people to demand similar reforms.
Discover the social and economic factors that led to the French Revolution, including Enlightenment ideas and financial crises.
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