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CONDITIONS FOR FRENCH REVOLTION - Coggle Diagram
CONDITIONS FOR FRENCH REVOLTION
Economic
The French government kept spending more money than it was receiving from taxes
the cost of living rose by 45%, wages rose by only 22%
The 3rd estate was the poorest, but paid all the taxes – to the church, their landlords, the Courts and to the government (king)
The First Estate, made up of rich nobles, owned 20% of French land but were exempt from paying taxes
an economy that deteriorated even more after the expense of the American War of Independence
Political
France was an absolutist monarchy from the middle of the 17th century with Louis XIV
King Louis XVI could arrest anyone on any charge and spent large amounts of money on himself
He held secret trials and he was judge and jury all in one
the Bourgeoisie had no political influence because they were part of the 3rd Estate
They saw a group of people overthrow their king and start a democracy
Social
French society was organised into three estates that were classified into two groups
The privileged estates (noble and clergy) had economic power, special laws and had to pay little or no taxes
The lower social groups or third estate had no privileges, because the privileged estate governed them and they had no control over their lives
Equality didn´t exist
Ideological
New ideas of equality, liberty and fraternity
The Enlightenment philosophers de-consecrated (made less important) the authority of the King and the Church
promoted a new society based on "reason" instead of traditions
They argued that the King was violating their natural rights to life, liberty, and property