The French Revolution Primary Causes & Influences

Cause #1: Influence of Enlightenment Thinkers  France was a country with absolute monarchy  Enlightenment thinkers called for more rights for the common people  An absolute monarchy means that the government controls all aspects of a person’s life

Cause #2: The American Revolution  The outcome of the American Revolution, in which the American colonies won their independence from Great Britain, played a role in starting the French Revolution  Even though the French government sent troops to help the colonials win their independence, back in France people were under an absolute authority

Cause #3: Unfair Social Divisions  1 st Estate: Clergy (the Church)  2 nd Estate: Nobles  3 rd Estate: Everyone else (approximately 80% of the population of France)

Cause #4: Government Debt  The king of France lived in extreme luxury  France was in severe war debt  Banks wouldn’t loan the king any more money

Cause #5: Unfair Taxation of the 3 rd Estate  People who were a part of the 3 rd estate had no representation or say in government, but were the ONLY citizens required to pay taxes  1 st and 2 nd estates owned 90% of the land in France, but didn’t pay any taxes

Cause #6: Growing Population  With France’s population growing, there was a financial crisis, especially felt by the 3 rd estate  More supplies were needed to accommodate the growing population, but the absolute monarchy prevented people from getting what they needed  There wasn’t enough food for everyone