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Causes of the French Revolution (Political crisis (Both the clergy and…
Causes of the French Revolution
Political crisis
Estates General brought together
representatives of the three states of the realm
to advise the
king on important issues
Both the clergy and the nobility had
300 representatives in
the Estates General
one
vote each
the middle class and the peasantry had
600
representatives
only one vote
Economic crisis
The French state was
bankrupt
as a result of
its
participation in military
conflicts
The royal
family spent large
amounts of money
on
palaces, luxury goods and
extravagant parties
Louis XVI's
ministers suggested that he
increase taxes, even for the
privileged upper classes
Social crisis
all three estates of the
realm were discontented with the crown
The nobility and the clergy wanted to protect
their traditional economic privileges
The upper middle class wanted to abolish
the absolute monarchy because it didn't allow them to
participate in government
The lower middle class was suffering
from economic difficulties caused by wars, higher taxes
and increased competition from British products
The peasantry also suffered economic problems caused by
wars, taxes and poor harvests. Moreover, they also had
to pay higher rent to the clergy and the nobility
Influence of the Enlightenment
French intellectuals and
the bourgeoisie
supported
Enlightenment ideas
and tried to put them
into
practice