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Causes of the French Revolution
Before the revolution, France consisted of a monarchy ruled by a king. The government
had Three Estates: the First Estate included clergymen, the Second Estate included nobles, and
the Third Estate included the middle class. Estates General meetings were periodically held
where each Estate had one vote in the government. These meetings proved to be unfair because
when voting on matters for France, the First and Second Estates banded together, automatically
securing dominance over the Third Estate and adding to their resentment (Howell Notes). The
causes of the French Revolution were the unfair distribution of land, the large amount of poverty
in the lower classes, and the example of the American Declaration of Independence.
First, the unfair distribution of land was one of the main events that led to the French
Revolution. The First Estate only made up 1% of the population but owned 35% of the land, and
the Second Estate only made up 2% of the population but owned 35% of the land. Meanwhile,
the Third Estate made up 97% of the population but only owned 55% of the land (Document 2).
The Third Estate was comprised of peasants, farmers, laborers, and more. All of these
occupations listed required the usage of land. While the Third Estate was making a living off of
the little land they owned, the First and Second Estates had an abundance of land whilst making
no proper use of it.
Next, the large amount of poverty in the lower classes of the French population
contributed to the beginning of the French Revolution. According to Arthur Young, the children
are said to have worn tattered clothes. The price of bread, a principal food in French culture, was
so high that lower-class people were no longer able to pay for it. In addition, some individuals
could not pay their rent for their abode. Finally, all of the French subjects were required to pay a
tax for their land called a taille. Lands held by the common people were taxed heavily, but the
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lands owned by the clergy and nobles were taxed lightly (Document 1). After working hard to
provide France with food, the lower class received little in return.
The final main reason the French Revolution was due to the example of the American
Declaration of Independence. When soldiers returned from helping America in the American
Revolution, the place they called home seemed less free with a more absolute ruler. The idea of a
revolution had been on the minds of men even before the American Revolution. Numerous
French subjects were angry about their inferior legal position (Document 4). Seeing the free and
equal society in America, the revolution became imperative for the young men in France
(Document 5). This vision of an excelling society caused the Revolution to break out.
Despite the French subjects’ hatred of Marie Antoinette adding to the flame of the
Revolution, the main causes of the French Revolution were the unfair distribution of land, the
large amount of poverty in the lower classes, and the example of the American Declaration of
Independence. The lower classes were responsible for all of the produce and most of the food for
France but received the least amount of land and money. They were tired of working hard for
little reward. When the Americans proved a country built on equality and freedom was
achievable, the French were determined to emulate America’s success or die trying.