DBQ Essay: Causes Of The French Revolution
The French Revolution of 1789 had many long-range causes. Political, social, and economic conditions in France mad many French people discontented. Most disaffected were merchants, artisans, workers, and peasants. The ideas of the Enlightenment thinkers brought new views of government and society. The American Revolution also influenced the coming of The French Revolution. Therefore, The French Revolution of 1789 had several causes not only due to political, but also due to social and economic issues and problems as well that made France ripe for revolution. The most important long-range causes of this revolution, however, were the ideas of the Enlightenment, the unfair taxes, the gap between the rich and poor, and the American Revolution and Declaration of Independence.
The ideas of the Enlightenment influenced the French Revolution. The third estate, or the poorest social group, held very little rights socially or politically. But some of them, such as doctors and lawyers, were educated and could read the new ideas of government from philosophers. For example, philosophers like John Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau. “The Revolution had been accomplished in the minds of men long before it was translated into fact... The middle class...was sensitive to their inferior legal position. The Revolution came from then-the middle class. The working classes were incapable of starting or controlling the Revolution. They were just beginning to learn to read.” (Document 4) The Third Estate studied these ideas; They had used ideas like Equality, Liberty, and Democracy. The Third Estate inspired The French Revolution. (ROI) These men spoke of democratic governments, with certain freedoms and natural rights. Eventually, the people of the third estate began to question their government in France, and by the standards of these philosophers, demanded change. The cahiers reflect the ideas of the Enlightenment such as democracy and equality. “That the king forced to reform the
The ideas of the Enlightenment influenced the French Revolution. The third estate, or the poorest social group, held very little rights socially or politically. But some of them, such as doctors and lawyers, were educated and could read the new ideas of government from philosophers. For example, philosophers like John Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau. “The Revolution had been accomplished in the minds of men long before it was translated into fact... The middle class...was sensitive to their inferior legal position. The Revolution came from then-the middle class. The working classes were incapable of starting or controlling the Revolution. They were just beginning to learn to read.” (Document 4) The Third Estate studied these ideas; They had used ideas like Equality, Liberty, and Democracy. The Third Estate inspired The French Revolution. (ROI) These men spoke of democratic governments, with certain freedoms and natural rights. Eventually, the people of the third estate began to question their government in France, and by the standards of these philosophers, demanded change. The cahiers reflect the ideas of the Enlightenment such as democracy and equality. “That the king forced to reform the