The circumstances that causes outbreak of revolutionary protest in
France were:
→ Social Inequality: French society in eighteenth century was divided into
three estates namely The Clergy, The nobility and third estates which
comparises peasants, officials and small business. It was only third estates
only pay taxes. Clergy and nobility were exempt from taxes.
→ Subsistence Crisis: The population of France also increased from 23
million in 1715 to 28 million in 1789. Food grains were now in great
demand. Price of bread shot up. Wages did not keep pace with rising
prices. This led to subsistence crisis.
→ Economic Problems: Long years of war had drained the financial
resources of France. To meet its regular expenses, such as the cost of
maintainingan army, the court, running government offices or
universities, the state was forced to increase taxes.
→ Strong Middle Class: The middle class emerged educated and wealthy
during eighteenth century. They believed that no group in society should
be given privileges by birth. Ideas of equality and freedom were put
forward by philosphers. The ideas of these philosophers were discussed
intensively in salons and coffee houses and spread among people.
→ Immediate Causes: On 5 may, 1789, Louis XVI called together an
assembly os Estates General to pass proposals for new taxes. Third
estates protested against this proposal but as each estates have one vote
the king rejected this appeal. They walked out of assembly.
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