dbq revolution

Sep/26/2013 The French revolution which started in 1789 had a long list of causes. The most important long range causes of this revolution, however, were the ideas of the enlightenment, the unfair taxes, the difference 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, also known as the poorest social group, held very little rights socially and politically. But some of them, like doctors and lawyers, were educated and could read the new ideas of government from philosophers such as John Locke, and Rousseau etc. “The revolution had been accomplished in the minds of men long before it was translated into fact…” These men spoke of democratic governments, with certain freedoms and neutral rights. Eventually, the people of the third estate began to question their own government in France, and by the standards of these philosophers demanded change. The cahiers (Document 3) reflected the ideas of the enlightenment democracy and equality. As an economic cause, the unfair taxes also proved a cause for the French revolution. The third estate composed of peasants, were taxed very greatly on many things.” In the south of France there is a taille (a tax on the land and its produced). . .” (Document 1) “Lands held by commoners are taxed heavily.” Peasants also paid taxes to the clergy, nobles, and government. However, the richest estates, the clergy and nobles, paid little taxes. “Lands held by the nobility were taxed very little.” This unfair system angered the third estate, and promoted revolution. As a social cause, in France there was a large gap between the rich and poor. The diagram (Document2) shows this gap-there are very few members in the first and second estates, yet they owned the most land, while the third estate made up