Causes of the French Revolution: Absolutism and Inequality

The 18th Century: Before the Revolutions

The American Revolution

The American Revolution served as a catalyst for the French Revolution. In 1776, American colonists declared their independence from Britain.

Absolutism in France

France functioned as an absolutist monarchy starting in the mid-17th century under Louis XIV. By 1774, Louis XVI ascended to the throne.

Absolute monarchy, or absolutism, meant that the monarch's power was unlimited, restricted only by divine or natural law. In this system, the monarch was the sole authority capable of altering their own powers. Because the monarch held their position by divine right, their privileges were absolute. They possessed the sovereign power to:

• Enact laws
• Levy taxes
• Administer justice
• Control the state administrative system
• Determine foreign policy

While the nobility and high clergy acted as advisors, the Bourgeoisie held no political influence as members of the Third Estate.

Economic Hardship and Poverty

During the 18th century, France underwent significant economic shifts. Peasants and the urban poor struggled increasingly to afford basic necessities.

The Estate-Based Society and Taxation

Despite the presence of wealth, a large portion of the French population lived in poverty. High taxes and rising prices, coupled with stagnant wages, created a severe economic crisis for the lower classes.

The Inequality of the Estates

• The First and Second Estates: These privileged groups owned significant land and wealth but were exempt from taxation. The First Estate (clergy) alone owned 20% of French land.
• The Third Estate: Comprising the poorest citizens, this group bore the entire tax burden, paying dues to the church, landlords, the courts, and the king.

During the 1770s and 1780s, taxes rose sharply due to the deteriorating French economy, which was further strained by the costs of the American War of Independence. During the Ancien Régime, society was strictly divided into three estates, with the First and Second Estates holding the majority of power.