The Primary Immediate Causes of the French Revolution.

The Primary Immediate Causes of the French Revolution.

"The revolution was cause by a myriad of problems. The lead up to 1789 saw a sharp reversal in the economic and social developments making a condition favorable to revolution. Contributing factors can be seen in the sever droughts and storms in 1785. The fluctuating harvests that affecting more then just food products, fabrics and textiles were also disrupted because of inconsistent harvest. The monarchy had through the nation into severe debt and in 1786 the Controller general of finances, Calonne reported to the King that radical reform was required. Interest payments sucked the government dry and the king's ministers found it impossible to raise new taxes, old taxes did not yield efficiently.

There had been growing in Europe, what has been referred to as the revolutionary spirit. This philosophy promoted that it is right to take up arms against tyranny, that There should be no taxation without representation, that all men should have liberal freedoms and that a Republic is superior to a monarchy.

English: The Third Estate carrying the Clergy and ...

English: The meeting of the Estates General May 5,...

Tinted etching of Louis XVI of France, 1792, with ...

There was discontent amongst classes the aristocrats wanted more political power whilst trying to stay exempt from taxes. They denounced the monarchy's absolutism though they wanted to implement their own form of it. The Bourgeoisie also attacked the monarchy's absolutism, they also attacked privileges of the Nobility. It was this class, the Third Estate that were most influenced by the disposition of mind. The peasants were attracted to the ideas of the Bourgeoisie for they saw the idea of tax reform and equality as the way to the abolition of the seigneurial system, which was their main grievance. All of these circumstances paved the way for revolt."

Since the revolutions in France during the 1790's there have been many theories over what caused the revolution. The...