Political Causes of the French Revolution

Dive into the political causes that sparked the French Revolution with this meta description. Reveal the seething discontent fueled by absolute monarchy, fiscal mismanagement, and the concentration of power in the hands of a privileged elite

Explore how Enlightenment ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity sparked revolutionary fervor, challenged entrenched hierarchies, and set the stage for profound political transformation. From the convening of the Estates-General to the storming of the Bastille, this meta-narrative invites you to traverse the political landscape that spawned one of the most impressive revolutions in history, changed the course of France forever, and inspired democracy movements around the world.

Political Causes of the French Revolution

Historical Facts	Political Causes of the French Revolution
Financial Crisis	State bankruptcy due to excessive spending on wars and financial mismanagement.
Enlightenment Ideas	Influence of Enlightenment thinkers advocating for liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Absolutist Monarchy	Resentment towards the absolute power of the monarchy and a lack of representation for common citizens.
Influence of the American Revolution	Heavy taxation, especially on the common people, contributes to economic hardship.
Influence of American Revolution	Inspiration comes from the success of the American Revolution in challenging monarchical rule.
Political Corruption	Corruption within the monarchy and government eroded public trust.
Estates General	Grievances regarding the unfair representation and voting structure in the Estates General

Introduction

The grievances of the 18th century—the uprising of the French people against autocracy and aristocracy, which came to be known as the French Revolution—shook Europe. The French Revolution brought about a major transformation of society and the political system in France, which lasted from 1789 to 1799. During the revolution, France was temporarily transformed from an absolute monarchy, where the king monopolized power, to a republic of theoretically free and equal citizens. The consequences of the French Revolution were widespread both inside and outside of France, and the revolution ranks among the most important events in the history of Europe.

Ten Years of Revolution

During the ten years of the French Revolution, France first transformed and then dismantled the Ancien Régime (Old Order), the political and social system that existed in France before 1789, replacing it with a series of different governments. Although none of these governments lasted more than four years, many of the initiatives they enacted permanently changed the French political system. These initiatives included the drafting of several drafts of rights and constitutions, the establishment of legal equality for all citizens, experiments with representative democracy, the integration of the church into the state, the reconstruction of state administration, and the legal order. Many of these changes were adopted elsewhere in Europe. In some places, the change was a matter of choice, but in others, it was introduced by the French army during the French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1797) and the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815). For later generations of Europeans and non-Europeans who sought to overturn their political and social systems, the French Revolution provided the most influential model of popular uprising until the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Causes or Background of the French Revolution of 1789

Historians are not unanimous about the factors that caused the Revolution of 1789 in France. The revolution did not break out, at least to some extent, because France was backward, but because the economic and intellectual development of the country did not match the social and political changes that were taking place in France. In the rigid order of the ancien régime, the majority of the bourgeoisie was unable to exercise political and social influence in the state. King Louis XIV, by consolidating absolute monarchy, destroyed the roots of feudalism, but the external feudal forms persisted and became more and more burdensome. Lord Chesterfield described conditions in France on the eve of the Revolution in these words: “A monarchy that was despotic and weak; the corrupt and worldly church; nobility increasingly parasitic; bankrupt treasury; and the exasperated bourgeoisie; and the oppressed peasantry; financial, administrative, and economic anarchy, a nation strained and divided by misgovernment and mutual suspicion.” Such was the background that existed in France before the Revolution of 1789. However the three main causes of the French Revolution are: (a) political causes of the French Revolution. (b) Social causes of the French Revolution. (c) Economic causes of the French Revolution.

Political Causes or Background of the French Revolution

France became the center of an autocratic monarchy in the eighteenth century. The French kings declared themselves “representatives of God” because they had unlimited power. This approach was exponential for Louis XIV. The expensiveness, luxury, and amenities at the royal court of Versailles captivated the French monarchs. They had unlimited power. By the Letter de Cachet, they arrested and imprisoned any person at any time. They paid no attention to their subjects.

(1) Ancien Régime (Old Order)

To understand the factors that were responsible for the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789, it is important to examine the conditions and institutions that existed in France before the Revolution. These conditions and institutions were collectively known as the ancien régime. Ancient Regime means Old Rule or Old Order in French. In English, the term primarily refers to the political and social system that was established in France under the Valois and Bourbon dynasties. More generally, it means any regime that includes defining features such as a feudal system under the control of a powerful absolute monarchy supported by the doctrine of the divine right of kings and the express approval of the established church. This is how Europe has been organized since at least the eighth century. The term Ancient Regime comes from The Age of Enlightenment (first appeared in print in English in 1794). Similar to other sweeping criticisms of the past, such as the term “Dark Ages,” the term Ancien Regime was used as an expression of disapproval of the way things were done and carried an implied endorsement of the “New Order.” No one alive during the Ancient Regime considered themselves to be living under the “Old Order.” The term was coined by authors of the Enlightenment era to promote a new cause and discredit the existing order. As defined by the coiners of the term, the ancien régime evolved from the French monarchy of the Middle Ages and was swept away centuries later by the French Revolution of 1789. Other European ancien régimes had similar origins but different ends; some gradually became constitutional monarchies, and others were overthrown by wars and revolutions. Power in the ancient regime rested on three pillars: the monarchy, the clergy, and the aristocracy. Society was divided into three classes known as estates: clergy, nobility, and commoners.

(2) Royal Absolutism

The political-social system that existed in France throughout the reign of the Valois and Bourbon dynasties was halfway between feudalism and modernity. France was ruled by a powerful absolute monarch based on the doctrine of the divine right of kings. The absolute monarchy had the express support of the established church. It is often said that this period in French history began with the French Renaissance under Francis I (1515–1547) and reached its peak under LoXIVXIV. (1643–1715). As the Italian Renaissance began to fade, France became the cultural capital of Europe. Ultimately, however, the financial difficulties and excesses of the monarchs led to the decline and eventual dissolution of the monarchy towards the end of the eighteenth century. The ancien régime system culminated in a monarch, a noble and glittering head of state. The king claimed to rule by the will of God and not by the consent of the people (Theory of the Divine Right of Kings). And so kings claimed to be answerable to no one but God. French kings ruled in an absolute manner. They exercised unlimited power. They were the chief legislators, executives, and bearers of justice. They imposed taxes and spent the money as they pleased. They declared wars and made peace as they pleased. They were denied certain basic rights to their subjects. Harsh censorship denied freedom of speech and the press. Arbitrary arrest, imprisonment, exile, or even execution were hallmarks of royal absolutism in France.

(3) Nature of the Bourbon rulers

The Bourbon dynasty ruled France for about two centuries, from 1589 to 1792.

(a) Louis XIV

France reached the height of its glory under Louis XIV. He was known as the “Great Monarch” and the “Sun King.” He believed in God’s sanctification of absolutism. He said, “I am the state”. He further asserted: “The sovereign power is vested in my person; the legislative powers exist in me alone… My people are one with me alone; national rights and national interests are necessarily connected with my own, and rest in my hands alone. ” To demonstrate his power and glory, Louis XIV led the nation in dangerous and costly wars against its neighbors and undertook the construction of magnificent buildings to beautify the capital city of Paris. His expensive wars and lavish lifestyle weakened France both financially and politically. More than any other building of the time, the Palace of Versailles, built by Louis XIV,, embodied the spirit of absolute monarchy. The magnificent halls, ornate rooms, and beautiful gardens surrounding the royal residence gave the Palace of Versailles a grandeur. The French aristocracy gathered day and night to pay homage to the great ruler of France. The Court of Versailles, which dazzled Europe, consisted of 18,000 people. Of these, 16,000 were connected with the personal services of the king and his family, and 2,000 were courtiers, favorite guests, and nobles. The royal stables contained 1,900 horses and more than 200 carriages. The total cost of the Versailles extravaganza was $20,000,000 in 1789. Versailles, which symbolized the glory of the Ancien Regime, was also a sign of its decline. His cost to the French nation was too high. In addition, it created a barrier between the monarchy and its subjects. Louis XIV, the Grand Monarch left a legacy of financial bankruptcy for his successors. On his deathbed, he is said to have advised his successor, Louis XV, his great-grandson, with these words: “My child,…try to live in peace with your neighbors, do not imitate my fondness for war, not the extravagant expenses I have incurred… Try to relieve people as soon as possible and thus achieve what, unfortunately, I am unable to do alone.”

(b) Louis XV

Louis XV (1715–1774) succeeded his great-grandfather at the age of five. The first part of a long reign of 59 years falls under the Regency period (1715–1723), during which his great-uncle, the Duke of Orleans, ruled on his behalf. The turmoil and disorder of the Regency were followed by almost two decades of orderly government and material prosperity under the aged Cardinal Fleury (1723-1743). From 1743 until his death in 1774, Louis XV. tried to exercise direct control over the government, which eventually led to the instability of the monarchy. Louis XV showed apathy and indifference to the affairs of the state. He was primarily concerned with the pursuit of pleasure and spent his whole life trying to escape boredom. So he tried to seek happiness in the mad and vicious rounds of pleasure, in hunting, in gambling, in lust, in moving his court from one place to another, in gratifying the whims and caprices of his numerous mistresses and favorites. For more than thirty years, Louis XV continued its shameful politics in the worst features of the ancien regime. He also oversaw a disastrous foreign policy that culminated in the humiliation of the Seven Years’ War (1756–63). His rule became increasingly inefficient, controlled by his mistresses. His vast court caused great expense to the exchequer. All these events opened the floodgates that swept over France. Louis XV escaped disaster. However, he could not prevent the progress of a new political and social philosophy that rejected the theory and practice of irresponsible and arbitrary royal absolutism. The Austrian ambassador in Paris, Comte de Mercy, writing to the Empress Maria Theresa, outlined the conditions in France at the end of the reign of Louis XV. in these words: “There is nothing at court but confusion, scandal, and injustice. No attempt has been made to carry out the good principles of government; everything has been left to chance; the disgraceful state of affairs of the nation has caused inexpressible disgust and dejection, while the intrigues of those who remain on the scene only add to the disorder. Disreputable behavior is tolerated.” The reign of Louis XV. ended in 1774 with his death. He left his successor a legacy of military defeat, financial bankruptcy, parliamentary opposition, and intellectual resistance to the existing political and social regime. According to Dr. GP Gooch, “Louis XV’s legacy to his countrymen was an ill-governed, disaffected, and frustrated France. Seen from afar, the ancien régime appears as solid as the Bastille, but its walls were crumbling for want of repair, and the foundations showed Absolute Monarchy, privileged nobles, the intolerant church, the narrow corporate parliaments—all became unpopular, and the army, once the glory of France, was sullied by the defeat at Rossbach. To republicanism, the mystique of monarchy had almost evaporated.”

(c) Louis XVI

In 1774, after the death of Louis XV, his grandson Louis XVI (1774–93) became King of France at the age of twenty. The new king was an honest and energetic young man who tried to take care of state affairs. But he tried to avoid trouble and lacked the ability to assert his own judgment. His decisiveness made him a blind follower of his mentors, especially his queen, Marie Antoinette. She was the daughter of Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria-Hungary. Marie Antoinette was beautiful, kind, and vivacious. She had a strong will, the ability to make quick decisions, and a spirit of initiative. However, she lacked wisdom and breadth of judgment. She did not understand the temperament of the French people and the spirit of the times. Because she was born into a royal family, she could not understand the point of view of the underprivileged. She was extravagant, proud, self-willed, impatient, and fond of pleasure. She was the center of a group of greedy people who were against all reforms. She excelled in intrigue and was responsible for much of the suffering that befell both rulers and rulers during the closing years of the eighteenth century.

(4) Inefficient and corrupt administrative systems

Under Louis XV and Louis XVI, the French administrative system became completely inefficient and corrupt. The king was the head of state and the head of the administrative structure. He had the power to appoint ministers and other administrative officials. Ministers were appointed on the basis of their noble birth or favoritism, not because of ability or merit. This led to inefficiency and corruption in the administration. The various departments of the administration had ill-defined and overlapping jurisdictions. At various times, France was divided into districts under the administration of bailiffs, into provinces under the administration of governors, and into intendancies under the direction of intendants. In addition, there were judicial, onal, and ecclesiastical districts. The conflict of jurisdictions added to the troubles and problems of the people. Before the revolution in 1789, France was divided into 34 intendancies. These Intentions have been placed under Intentions. They were chosen first from among the bourgeoisie. They have become an integral part of the machinery of local self-government. These intendants had great authority. They had the right to administer justice in all the royal courts. They verified the accounts of their subordinate financial managers. They were also involved in the assessment and collection of direct taxes. They controlled the movement of the army, organized regular recruitment into the army, and managed the City police. The intendants obtained their authority directly from the councils. From a legal point of view, councils and ministers had only an advisory function. Only kings were responsible. There was neither a representative assembly nor a written constitution to limit the power of administrators. The conflict of jurisdiction and rivalry between administrators, the absence of an executive director at its center to formulate long-term policies and projects, the overlapping of undifferentiated departments, and the tradition of graft and unaccountable, noble procedures taxed the patience of even the most conscientious and determined servant of the state. According to the absolutist theory, all justice in France came from the monarch, whose officials administered it on his behalf in the many royal courts of justice that were established throughout the country. However, the legal system in France was full of confusion. There was no uniform law for the whole country. Different laws are applied in different parts of the country. It has been estimated that there are as many as 400 different legal systems in the country. The laws were written in Latin, and so were beyond the understanding of common people. The laws were cruel and unjust. Severe punishments were prescribed for ordinary offenses. No proper criminal proceedings took place. Arbitrary arrest and imprisonment were common. Any person of influence could have a writ issued against the person he wished to punish, and the person concerned could be kept in prison indefinitely without any trial. There were royal courts, military courts, ecclesiastical courts, and financial courts. Their overlapping powers contributed to confusion and injustice. The common people of France thus suffered because of the lack of uniform laws and the arbitrary administration of justice. There was no guarantee of personal freedom. The French kings ruled France without convening a legislature known as the Estates General from 1614. Louis XIV even abolished the Parlement of Paris. The French parliaments were high courts of great antiquity. They had the power to review judgments handed down in lower courts. By the end of the 18th century, there were thirteen such parliaments in France. Each parliament consisted of wealthy magistrates whose office became hereditary over time. Parliament claimed and exercised certain political powers. They had the right to register royal edicts and regulations. They could delay the registration and thereby put pressure on the king. In 1771, Louis XV abolished these parliaments. But in 1774, Louis XVI revived them.

Conclusion

The French Revolution was a time of great social and political upheaval in France. It began in 1789 with the storming of the Bastille and ended in 1799 with the accession of Napoleon Bonaparte. During this time, many changes occurred in French society, including the abolition of feudalism, the establishment of a republic, and the adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. In addition to these political changes, many social and cultural transformations occurred as a result of the revolution. For example, art and literature became more secular and realistic, while fashion changed to reflect the new democratic values. Although not all aspects of the revolution were positive, it was ultimately a watershed event that transformed France into a modern nation.

(FAQ) Questions and Answers about Political Causes of the French Revolution