Outbreak of Revolution


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Outbreak of Revolution

The circumstances leading to outbreak of revolutionary protest in France

  • Social causes or social conditions: On the eve of the revolution, the clergy and the nobles led to a life of luxury and enjoyed numerous privileges. on the other hand , the peasants and workers as well as the middle class people lived a wretched life. They groaned under heavy taxes and forced labour. This state of social inequality was the chief cause of the french revolution.
  • Political causes or political conditions: Emperor Louis XVI of France was an empty headed despot. He and his queen, Marie Antonette, squandered money on their luxurious living and wasteful festivities. The high posts were often auctioned, so inefficiency reigned supreme. The people were tired of such a rotten system of administration and wanted a change.
  • Economic causes or economic conditions: France had been continually involved in wars which had broken her economy. The luxurious life led by the French King Louis XVI and his queen  had made the matter still worse. the people groaned under heavy taxes.
  • Immediate cause: Forced by financial bankruptcy caused by continuous wars, Emperor Louis XVI was complled to call a meeting of the Estate general in 1789 A.D.after a lapse of 175 years. it generated much excitement as the members of the third estate were determined to put a check on the highandedness of both the clergy, the nobility and the french monarch. in this way, the calling of the estates general in 1789 a.d. proved the immediate cause of the french revolution.
  • Assembly of the Estates General

    Louis XVI called for an assembly of the Estates General on 5th May, 1789 to pass the proposal for new taxes. In Versailles, an attractive and impressive hall was prepared to host the delegates. The first and second estates sent 300 representatives each, who were seated in rows facing each other on two sides. The 600 members of the third estate had to stand at the back. The third estate was represented by its more prosperous and educated members. Peasants, artisans and women were denied entry to the assembly but they sent their demands and grievances through representatives. These were listed in some 40000 letters.

    Demand for Voting in Democratic Way

    In earlier voting system of Estates General, each estate had one vote. This time also, Louis XVI wanted to continue the same system. But the members of third estate demanded that voting should be conducted by taking assembly as a whole. They demand that each member should have one vote but this proposal was rejected by the king. This idea was supported by Rousseau in his book ‘The Social Contract’. After the rejection of this proposal the members of third estate walked out of assembly in protest.

    National Assembly of Third Estate

    On 20th June, the representatives of the third estate assembled in the hall of an indoor tennis court in Versailles. They declared themselves a National Assembly. They also swore to draft a new Constitution for France that would limit the powers of the monarch. The representatives of the third estate were led by Mirabeau and Abbé Sieyès. Mirabeau was born in a noble family, but discarded his feudal privileges. Mirabeau brought out a journal and delivered powerful speeches to the crowd to inspire them at Versailles. Abbé Sieyes was originally a priest. He wrote an influential pamphlet called ‘What is the Third Estate?’

    Sample Questions
    (More Questions for each concept available in Login)
    Question : 1

    Who led the representatives of the Third Estate in Versailles on 20th June?

    Right Option : D
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    Explanation
    Question : 2

    The constitution of 1791 gave power to make laws to _______________.

    Right Option : B
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    Explanation
    Question : 3

    Who wrote the pamphlet called 'What is the Third Estate'?

    Right Option : B
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    Explanation
     
     


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