What were the origins of the French Revolution? Economically, politically, culturally, intellectually

Résumé du document

Since the beginning of the Revolution, the contemporaries have looked for explaining the events that occurred during the French Revolution. They suggested several arguments about the causes of the revolution. Some argue that the Revolution is the consequence of a plot, an intellectual conspiracy. The comfortable idea of a philosophical or 'franc-maçon' plot, satisfied the need of explaining all these changes and events. However, looking closer, we notice the French revolution is the result of a double crisis, namely a structural and a temporary one. France is weakened by an economical crisis and the monarchy does not manage to reform the administration and the financial system. The State is bankrupted and the monarchy appears to be incapable to modernize itself. The 'Ancien Régime' society begins to be unsuited, and comes in disagreement with the new expectations of the French society and the economical structure. According to François Furet and Denis Richet, an 'enlightement society' emerged in the 'Ancien Régime' throughout the 18th century. The elite, both nobles and bourgeois try to influence the royal authority with modern reforms. This elite is mainly at the origin of the French revolution. Moreover, the revolution occured in a context of generalized troubles, to the same extent as the troubles and uprisings in the European monarchies. The American Revolution had a great impact on the French minds, especially the 'bourgeoisie' and the liberal nobles who continued fighting with the insurgents, such as the Marquis de La Fayette. In the early 1780s, Great Britain experienced social and political contestations and uprisings that claimed the will to enlarge the electoral body.

Extraits

[...] France knew six waves of riots in the second part of the eighteen century: 1784-85 and 1788-89. They mainly occurred in marketplaces and in roads where the cereals circulate. Lootings was commonplace. When Turgot implemented the free circulation of grains, the fear of famine seeped into minds, and uprisings and riots jumped. In the summer 1788, castles were burnt in Ile-de-France, Picardie and Dauphiné. Last but not least knew catastrophic weather conditions. Summer was rotten and the hail destroyed 25% of the harvest. [...]

[...] More than these intellectual influences, the French Revolution also has cultural origins. The formation of the public opinion is one of the main events of the XVIIIth century. The philosophy of Enlightment brings new ideas and new ways of thinking. It has influenced the elite composed with nobles and bourgeois. Moreover, an educated public and readership was rising. At the eve of the Revolution knew to read and to write. Most of them read popular tales, cheap novels and almanacs. [...]

[...] The tax consent and repartition were different according to the regions and to their status. The “pays d'élection” had to directly consent to the taxes demanding by the royal authority, whereas the “pays d'état” decide to consent in local assemblies. Moreover, the “pays d'états” were undertaxed. It follows from all these divisions that the only efficient solution was to establish an equal tax repartition, which mean to abolish the orders and cities' privileges. Several “Contrôleurs Général des Finances” has tried to reform and to unify the fiscal administration. [...]

[...] What were the origins of the French Revolution? Economically, politically, culturally, intellectually Since the beginning of the Revolution, the contemporaries have looked for explaining the events occurred during the French Revolution: they suggested several arguments about the causes of the revolution. Some argues the Revolution is the consequence of a plot, an intellectual conspiracy. The comfortable idea of a philosophical or “franc-maçon” plot satisfied the need of explaining all these changes and events. However, when looking closer, we notice the French revolution is the result of a double crisis, namely a structural and temporary one. [...]

[...] During these two years, the mobilisation of the population rose sharply. In February 1787, the nobility had an opportunity to abandon its privileges, to reform France and may be to avoid the revolution. But the majority opposed every reform. They also thought the Estate General could block reforms thanks to a vote system by order. The “Assemblée des Notables” collapsed. Moreover, after the lit the justice of the 6th August 1787, the public opinion supported the “Parlement” and demanded the reunion of the Estates General. [...]