Interplay of Political, Cultural, and Economic Factors in the French Revolution

Political factors, whilst somewhat significant in contributing to the causes of the French Revolution, cultural, social as well as economic factors were equally if not more crucial in causing the French Revolution. Whilst political factors highlighted the weaknesses of the French Monarch system and ultimately led to the establishment of the First Republic in France, it was only partially responsible for the overthrow of the monarchy. Conversely, cultural and social factors led to significant events such as the Storming of the Bastille, March upon Versailles, Flight to Varennes as well as the Reign of Terror. Moreover, economic factors such as France’s financial crisis and bankruptcy prompted significant events such as the meeting of the Estates

France practiced the system of Feudalism, a class system based on land ownership. The King, Louis XVI, owned all the land of the country and would give it out in plots to the Noble in return for services to his thrown. The Nobles would then divide their land and offer it to the less wealthy in exchange for a fee or service; finally the less wealthy would offer their land to the farmers. Because of Feudalism, a class system was developed which divided society into three classes, these were known as Estates. The First Estate held a moral obligation to assist the poor, the Second Estate ensured to support the monarchy and Old Regime and finally the Third Estate, the poorest of all, were to pay all taxes. Essentially, the entire burden of France landed upon the poorest Estate. The people of the Third Estate, who made up an estimated eighty percent of the population, were vastly dissatisfied with the order of France; they wanted a change to occur. During the 18th Century, it was clear that French Culture was changing. The Enlightenment Philosophy, for instance, promoted a new society based on “reason”, rather than traditions. For the people of the Third Estate, the Enlightenment Philosophy was certainly promising for the future of French society. As well as social inequality, starvation was a primary concern for the people of the Third Estate. In the early stages of the French Revolution, rising bread prices were a major concern; the new government, concerned about what the people might do if they could not get access to bread, quickly responded to complaints about prices, allegations of hoarding, and other, similar concerns. Essentially, these riots and the mere threat of rioting itself helped drive the revolution forward and make it increasingly radical. The rioters even