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  • Essay / Tracing the roots of the French Revolution: main causes and consequences

    Did you know that a loaf of bread cost a week's salary for 98% of the population, which included mainly peasants, in France during the French Revolution ? The French Revolutions, one of the major revolutions in all of Europe showing a concept of inequality, began in June 1789, during the reign of King Louis XVI, when revolutionaries stormed a prison called the Bastille. It ended ten years later, with the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte. One of the causes of the French Revolution was due to social structure. The French were divided into three social groups, often called the “Etats”. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get the original essay The First Estate consisted of the entire clergy (Church leaders), who were responsible for spiritual well-being and morale of the nation, including the education of children. They also owned the land, but were not responsible for paying taxes on that land. However, they sent a small amount of money to the government every year as a gift. The Second Estate was made up of nobles, born into this prestige. Despite their wealth, this class paid very little taxes. Nobles had rights to peasant lands and had priority in obtaining the highest positions in government. The Third Estate was made up of 80% peasants, which represented the bulk of the population. People in this area ranged from middle class to poor. Some people could be doctors and advocates for the homeless. Since the French exempted the clergy and nobility from taxes, the burden was placed on the peasants. Peasants paid land tax to the state and a 5% land tax. One of the general causes of the French Revolution was the social structure and inequality of the French Revolution, causing social and political rebellion in France. The cause was the American Revolution. When King Louis XVI became king, France had aided the 13 American colonies in their fight for freedom from Great Britain. France had also wasted money in past wars and in maintaining the king's court in the city palace of Versailles, built with expensive goods and having about 700 rooms, and about 700 people could live there comfortably. This made France financially unstable. Thus, King Louis VI decided to increase tax rates only for the Third Estate, to alleviate its financial crisis. As a result, life in the Third Estate was very difficult. It was even becoming difficult to buy bread. This is why the bourgeoisie and the philosophers began to stand up. In 1789, the general assembly of the estate was convened to discuss tax matters. On May 5, the third estate demanded the right to vote for one man, one vote. This right not being granted, on June 20, 1789, the entire third estate declared itself a National Tennis Assembly. With food prices also increasing, the third power attacked the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789. King Louis then realized that French society was not going to remain silent. Even the women had started to revolt at that time. This made King Louis' situation so miserable that he had to leave the palace and go to live in Paris. At this point, the food price and tax situation was over, and all the privileges of the First and Second Estates were also removed. In 1791, the National Assembly weakened the power of King Louis and distributed its powers equally between different institutions. They divide it into legislative, executive and judicial branches. There.