The French Revolution Essays (738 words) - Kingdom Of France, France

The French Revolution Introduction The French Revolution was a turning point in France's history. The Revolution began when King Louis XVI called the Estates General to provide money for his bankrupt government. Between 1789 and 1799 many kings, queens, nobles, and clergyman lost their power and status in France. France's government changes drastically over the ten years the war was fought and it will never be the same. Description By the end of 1788, France was on the verge of bankruptcy. King Louis was a very indecisive and shy king. He didn't care much for politics or people. Through his carelessness Louis chose officials who stole money from him and France. Since France had no money and a large debt to pay the king taxed the citizens harshly. The angry French grew tired of the heavy taxes and riots broke out constantly against the king. Louie summoned the General Estates to meet at the Palace of Versailles for the first time since 1614. Louis had all three estates prepare cahiers. The cahiers were notebooks listing the grievances of each estate. Many cahiers asked for reform. These reforms includes: freedom of speech, a regular meeting of the Estates General, and fairer taxes. The third estate and least influential was also the largest. It contained one million middle class citizens and twenty-four million laborers and working class citizens. The third estate sick of being refused by nobles and being out-voted(not in count but rank) formed the National Assembly. When their normal meeting place was locked for preparations of a royal speech the National Assembly took it as a threat. Between the ten days of June 17,1789 and June 27, 1789, the delegates of the assembly took the Tennis Court Oath. The oath meant that they would not dismember until a fair constitution was written up for France. After many nobles joined the National Assembly the king had not choice but to accept them, but by the end of July 1789, the food shortages had worsened along with the heavy taxes. It was rumored King Louis was also going to demolish the assembly giving the citizens more of a reason to fight back. Relationship to the French Revolution The main reason for the French Revolution was a lack of money. This lack of money for King Louis XVI bankrupt government caused Louis to tax the people of France tremendously. When riots became to much for Louis to handle, he called the three estates to list their grievances. The Third estate was made up of farmers, laborers, peasants, and middle class citizens. Since the nobles and clergy didn't have to pay any land tax the members of the third estate were the ones being taxed the most. They wanted each member of the whole assembly to have a vote, but the nobles and clergy refused. The representatives from the third estate withdrew from the assembly. They met at a near-by tennis court and declared themselves the National Assembly. They took the Tennis Court Oath vowing not to disband until they had written a constitution for France. After many nobles joined, the king has to finally recognize them. Louis still tried to break up the assembly which lead to the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. All of these events lead up to the start of what we today call the French Revolution. Examples The French Revolution was caused by the king not having enough money to pay off his debt and taxing the French citizens on everything they could possibly be taxed on. Some of the things taxed them on were: income, land, property, crops, salt, tobacco, wine, and cider. The people even had to pay a poll tax for the privilege of being born in France. They had to pay a tax on the money they received after selling a piece of property or land. Peasants had to pay an additional tax on sales tax. Shoe makers couldn't make shoes because the tax on leather was too expensive. The French citizens hated the tax collectors and called them, Bloodsuckers of the nation who drink the tears of the unfortunate from goblets of gold. Closing The king's irresponsibility caused him to tax the French harshly. I think that the French Revolution is a symbol of the strength and power of the people. In the beginning the king ruled supremely and only. Through the power of the people and the French Revolution the French changed their government. After the war the French formed a National Convention and framed a constitution in 1795. Even thought