Origins and Impact of the French Revolution

Root Causes of the French Revolution

Absolutism: Under the theory of true absolutism, "God gives power to the king, and he is only accountable to Him" (Bossuet). This stood in contrast to Hobbes's theory, which suggested that "God gives power to the people, and they, in turn, grant it to the king; as a result, the king is accountable to the people."

Inequitable Distribution of Taxation

The society was divided into distinct classes:

• The Privileged (Nobility and Clergy): This group included approximately 140,000 nobles and 350,000 clergy members (totaling 490,000). They did not pay taxes.
• The Third Estate (Ordinary People): Comprising 24 million people, they paid 60% of their earnings to the king and the lord, and between 5% to 10% to the Church.
• Worshipers (Serfs with no goods or rights): Approximately 1 million people.

Enlightenment Ideas and the Encyclopedia

The Encyclopedia spread transformative ideas: Rousseau, with "The Social Contract," established the relationship between the monarch and subjects; Montesquieu advocated for the separation of the judiciary, executive, and legislative powers; and Condorcet promoted doctrines on republicanism and teaching.

Circumstantial Causes of the Revolution

The Weakness of Louis XVI: Historian Fisher noted, "He was honest, kind, pious, and polite, but he lacked mental lucidity and the gift of opportunity. Instead of directing events, he was dragged by them."

Grave Financial Crisis

Natural Causes: In 1786, a surplus of wine led to lower prices. Between 1787 and 1788, a drought damaged corn crops, causing feed prices to rise.

Political Causes: The reforms proposed by the economy minister, Turgot—"Neither bankruptcy nor loans nor tax increases. Freedom of commerce, industry, and the abolition of privileges"—were never adopted. Louis XVI once remarked, "It seems that only Turgot and I love the people."

Great Court Costs: The royal household maintained 10,000 military personnel, 3,000 civilians, and 5,000 courtesans, in addition to the sumptuous festivities organized by the Queen.

Political, Economic, and Social Implications

The revolution brought about significant changes:

• Political Change: The end of the Ancien Régime and the development of nationalist feelings. For the first time, France established a Constitution and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, allowing the "governed" to participate in government.
• Economic and Social Change:
  • The transfer of land ownership and the end of noble privileges.
  • The elimination of state controls on economic activities, laying the foundation for the Industrial Revolution (Soboul) and Capitalism (Lefevre).
  • The end of a class-based society and the rise of the bourgeoisie.
  • The seeds of the revolutions of the 19th and 20th centuries.
  • The emergence of the revolution's son, Napoleon, who would eventually devour it.