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Political
Discontent
King Louis XV and King Louis
XVI both led extremely extravagant lives. They spent lots of the
government's money on luxuries even though the government had
some financial problems. One of the government's main jobs back
then was to protect their country and manage wars. In the Seven
Years War against England, France spent large sums of money on
the war effort but they still lost the war and had to give up
their colonies in North America. Many people regarded this loss
as a major humiliation.
Social and Economic Discontent
In the late 18th Century
the peasant population increased dramatically. This growth in
population increased the demand for more land. Land was being
divided into smaller and smaller sections to cope with this problem.
Eventually some sections of land were not even enough for a peasant
to support his own family.
The wars in America left France in huge debt. To try and pay this
debt the nobility increased the feudal dues for the peasants.
The peasants' hardships increased greatly which further increased
their resentment towards the nobility. Poor harvests in 1787 and
1788 led to a food shortage. The peasants could barely (if at
all) feed themselves let alone pay taxes. The peasants started
to threaten violence if their situation wasn't improved.
There was an increased competition from British textile manufacturers.
This left many people without jobs, which meant a huge increase
in unemployment.
Discontent
of the Bourgeoisie
Many of the Bourgeoisie grew
quite wealthy and started to resent all of the economic, social
and political restrictions that were placed upon them from the
Ancien Regime. International trade expanded, which made merchants
detest the trade restrictions. Government instability made the
financiers extremely concerned. Most of the bourgeoisie resented
not being able to improve their social status even though some
of them were wealthier than some of the nobles. Especially the
upper Bourgeoisie were angered that their importance wasn't recognized
by the government.
The
Enlightenment
A period when new ideas spread
throughout the country which often were against the government.
The vast majority of the Bourgeoisie criticized absolute government
and the injustices of society. The philosophers' books were widely
read by the educated class, the ideas in these books were very
popular and many people agreed with the main concepts of the philosophers.
The improvements in communications made the spread of ideas much
quicker and easier.
The
American War of Independence
The ideas of the American
constitution were published in France and were widely discussed
by intellectuals. Many regarded America as a "perfect"
society. French soldiers who fought in America returned with new
ideas.
The French involvement in the war led to a financial crisis. France
borrowed heavily to finance the war but didn't get many benefits
from it.
Financial
Collapse of Government
Inefficient methods of government
led to major financial difficulties. The Nobility paid no tax
so revenue had to be raised in a different way. The French government
had to borrow heavily which just increased the debt. The government
continued to spend far more than it received in taxes. Eventually
the government went completely bankrupt. This immediately led
to the French Revolution.
