Page 47 - Sst Class - IX

History

1. The French Revolution
1. The French Revolution

Memory Points
Memory Points
Ancient French Regime

• The Ancient Régime was the political and social system constituted in the Kingdom of France for the
period from 15th century to the late 18th century, under the late Valois (1328 to 1589 AD).

• Bourbon dynasty ruled from 1589 to 1793 and from 1814 to 1830.
• The First Estate included the entire clergy, traditionally divided into “higher” (nobility) and “lower”
(non-noble) clergy. In 1789, it comprised about 0.5% of the population.
• The Second Estate consisted of the French nobility and royalty, excluding the monarch, who stood
outside the system of estates. This estate constituted approximately 1.5% of France’s population.

• The Third Estate comprised of such members who were not included in the above two estates can
be classified into two groups, rural and urban, together making up 98% of France’s population. The
urban included the bourgeoisie and wage-labourers while the rural included peasants.

• Each estate was considered an institution with its own privileges and entitlements.

The Crises and the factors which led to French Revolution
• After Louis XVI ascended the throne of France in 1774, he inherited an empty treasury.

• The State was forced to increase the taxes because problems were faced to meet the regular expenses
such as cost of maintaining the army, the court, running government offices, etc.
• During the period 1715–1789, the population of France increased exceedingly which increased the
demand for food grains. However, the production of food grains did not increase in accordance with
the demand for food grains.

• The peasants and workers were not satisfied with increase in taxes and they revolted every now
and then against increasing taxes and food scarcity. They wanted a change in the current system of
governance and administration.

• Also, a social group known as middle class, emerged during 18th century.
• The middle class was educated and opined that no group in the society should be privileged by
birth. This group was also influenced by the revolutionary ideas of John Locke, Montesquieu, and
Rousseau.
• On 5th May 1789, Louis XVI called together an assembly of the Estates General to pass proposals for
new taxes.

• The members of all the estates came to attend the meeting.

• However, the members of Third Estate walked out when their demand for voting rights was rejected
by the King.

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