The causes of The French Revolution:

a. Before 18^th in the whole Europe:

  1. Enlightenment

  2. Renaissance

  3. Industrial Revolution

  4. Reformation

   >>> Affect --- Knowledge                    --- Economic & society changes

            --- Critical thinking                 --- Awareness

            --- Able to analyze

   è On Frenchman will change ~ People had educated (near sea city) because the trade nearly sea

                            ~ Peasants were the illiterate

                          > They hadn’t got any knowledge

                          > Because the trade after Industrial Revolution didn’t spread to inside

b. Before 1789:

 1. Political Structure ~ Ancien Regime

   ~ Absolute Monarchy > Bourbon King: Louis XIV (1643 – 1715)

                     > Divine Right of King: Sun King

                     > Centralization Policy:

                       -- Monarchs, imperial courts

                       -- Was opposed by Nobles or privileged order

                     > Nobles & Clergy:

                       -- Maintain privileges & authority

                       -- Stronghold in parliament

                       -- Had the right to question the decrees of royal

                       -- The most powerful obstruction to despotism

                     > Reign of Louis XVI (1774 – 1789)

                       -- Reforms = Corrupt practices

                                = Reformers--- break some monopoly & privileged held by aristocracy

                                 èThey can challenge the king

                                           èThe king not intelligence, not strong enough, no leadership

  2. Social Structure ~ Three legal Estate

    ~ Clergy > Exempted from the taxation

           > Had the feudal obligations

    ~ Nobles > Status hereditary

Privileges

     ~ Bourgeoisie & Townspeople & Peasant

        > Perform feudal obligation to the privileged class

        > Contained the most of Frenchmen

        > Bored the greatest burden of taxation

   3. Political Causes

      ~ Appear in Louis XVI > Not strong monarch

      ~ French government > Corrupt, inefficient

      ~ Nobles > No centralization policy of Bourbon King

              > Preserved old status & power

      ~ Bourgeoisie (Educated person) > Grievances the government

                                   --- Taxation system: The privileges no need to pay

                                   --- Social & Policies: unjust                                   --- Feudal relics

   4. Economic Crisis

       ~ American War > Government bankruptcy

       ~ Administration costs

       ~ Extravagances

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