The French Revolution

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Before the French Revolution, France was facing many problems, such as famine, high taxes, high food prices, and an absolute monarchy incapable of solving problems. In comparison to the nobility and clergy the bourgeoisie and the peasants were taxed ridiculously high. So clearly during this time we are getting the sense that the third estate carried the burden of repaying France’s debt. So because of this unfair treatment and their knowledge of enlightened thought, the Bourgeoisie sought to put an end to the classes and their lack of representation by forming the National Assembly. The peasants on the other hand were not driven by the same goals. When they did decide to revolt it was not for political or social reasons like the bourgeoisie but rather because of the high food prices, and anger towards the clergy and nobility who were feasting during a famine. The Bourgeoisie, however, were more effective in driving changes during the Revolution because they sought to put an end to the classes, and the absolute monarchy, but this could not have been possible without the peasants violent actions. The Bourgeoisie’s formation of the National assembly was a change in the government that implemented the enlightenment ideas because it sought to put an end to the absolute monarchy, and most importantly created a constitution for France; however couldn’t have been done without the violent actions of the peasant. Prior to the National Assembly, France was being ruled over by an absolute monarch that had no ability to solve the problems the nation faced. So as the National Assembly began to meet and made it clear that they were going to fix the problems of France with or without the other estates, Louis saw this as a problem. So Louis XVI th... ... middle of paper ... ..., classes, unfair taxation and embracing the idea that all men are equal under the law (Declaration of the rights of men 1789). In conclusion the changes implemented by the Bourgeoisie from adopted enlightened ideas would not have been so without the coincidental help from the peasant’s violent rebellions, because their efforts would have been squandered from the beginning. However the Bourgeoisie was more effective in driving changes during the Revolution because they had “enlightened” goals such as putting an end to the classes and the absolute monarchy, rather than the instinctual goals of the peasants which were to rebel out of anger with the hope of lowering the prices of food and ending starvation. This applies to the world as a whole because it reiterates that the most effective changes are achieved with assertive action rather than aggressive action.

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