The Causes of the French Revolution
The boulevards were like all the other streets, brilliantly illuminated, with immense numbers of people walking up and down on this late February evening. Men, women, and children were rejoicing, as the terrible struggles of the day had ceased. Near the Hotel des Capucines there was a heavy force of military troops, who's main purpose seemed to be directing traffic. All was tranquil for some time; presently a column of unarmed students and artisans marched down the boulevard singing. Suddenly a shot echoed throughout the city, an entire squadron of troops charged the crowd with muskets blazing and swords drawn. Percy B. St John was an eyewitness to the events herein described; the following was taken from his notes compiled at the time. "The sight was awful. Husbands were seen dragging their fainting wives from the massacre; fathers snatching up their children, with pale faces and clenched teeth, hurried away to put their young ones in safety, and then to come out in arms against the monarchy. Women clung to railings, trees, or to a wall, or fell fainting on the stones... Afterwards Utter strangers would be seen shaking hands and congratulating one another on their escape."1 Shortly after the deputy General, commanding th
Percy B. St. John, The French Revolution of 1848: The Three Days of February, New Rude goes on to describe the basic causes of the French Revolution "to be rooted in the rigidities of French Society, particularly in the 18th century nobility."2 Lines of distinction between classes were tightly drawn, and opportunities for social advancement were very few. Rude goes on to say the economy was not growing as fast as it should have been. The needs of an increasing population were not being met. Crops failed, and trade was stagnant. The people could no longer be taxed, but the revenue had to come from somewhere. The only solution was to tax the privileged classes. Many people of this class were not completely willing to contribute to additional taxes, according to Rude, most didn't care, or just didn't know how bad the current economy was. When the French aided the Americans during the American Revolution, they sent men, ships, and guns as well as financial aid. As a result, the budget of the French government was thrown out of balance. It was soon necessary to vote new taxes after economic depression made the growing dept even greater. But the king's power was not absolute; no new taxes could be decreed unless registered in the district courts. However since the courts consisted mainly of the privileged class, who were always ready to oppose the king, Louis XVI had to find another way to legalize his edicts. As a result the States-General was called and convened in May 1789. Dowd, David L. The French Revolution. New York: American Heritage Publishing Co., David Dowd, a New Yorker and author of The French Revolution offers a slightly different perspective to this much debated event. Dowd believes the French Monarchy was successful in running deficit budget after deficit budget. This was aided by large costs brought on from previous spending by Lois XV and Louis XIV. This did not stop Louis XVI from adding to the troubles. Dowd is less generous toward the actions of Louis XVI. He argues that a stronger king would have been able to cru
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Approximate Word count = 1382
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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