French Revolution: Causes and Major Phases

Student's Name

Professor

Class Information

Date

The French Revolution Demystified

Historians have established diverse factors that contributed to the outbreak of the French Revolution, both short- and long-term. Pioneer, clerical, and royalist understanding of the Revolution point to a conspiracy that was primarily perpetrated by Enlightenment arguments. At the culmination of the 19th century, rationales anchored on Karl Marx's theories became increasingly dominant. In this context, the French Revolution derived from the power struggle between the ancient feudal nobility characterized by status anchored on land ownership and the bourgeoisie, who amassed wealth via finance, professions, and commerce. In 1789, the bourgeoisie established a shared cause with urban working classes and peasantry to commence the Revolution. The Marxist understanding of the French Revolution remains increasingly challenged in the aftermath of the Second World War. Critiques argue that diverse nobles existed among those clamoring for reforms in 1789. In addition, the distinction between commoner and noble was not as explicit as initially anticipated. While the many wealthy bourgeoisies bought nobility patents, many nobles were involved in commerce and finance. In this context, social and economic status emerged as a poor guideline for political conduct, and monolithic classes' idea of personal financial interests became increasingly unsustainable. This paper evaluates the causes of the French Revolution and establishes whether it could have been avoided as well as inevitability. It also includes the primary phases of the French Revolution and different forms, and its destructive nature.

Causes of the French Revolution

Government Bankruptcy and Failure

During the American War of Independence and the Seven Years' War, France used billions to finance such causes, leaving its treasury exhausted. A great deal of economic resources was obtained via loans, yet the nation could not meet its financial obligations. One of the chancellors had attempted to reform the economy by creating and implementing a manifesto of reforms and changes. They included introducing a new taxation model that demanded dues from the second and the first estates. Nevertheless, the proposal was declined, with many nobles evading taxes. It was an injustice because the country had not consulted them concerning the matter. Simultaneously, the economic situation deteriorated with bad climatic conditions that ruined the crops. Food became scarce as prices skyrocketed; hunger increased alongside frustration and anger amongst the lower classes. Accordingly, the present, the culmination of the 18th-century social structure, not only