Urban Poverty French Revolution Essay

Zoe Clark

Ms. Berry

MEH ICAP, Period 6

20 November 2015

How Urban Poverty Led to the French Revolution

18th century France was believed to be the most advanced country by the rest of Europe due to its populous condition and trade production. Despite what other Europeans thought, France was actually in very poor condition. Due to its “bad harvests, high prices, high taxes, and disturbing questions raised by the Enlightenment ideas of Locke, Rousseau and Voltaire,” the French would soon be in a state of chaotic rebellion. However, smaller reasons still helped to further aid the French Revolution along its impending path, including urban poverty. Urban poverty, which was greatly affected by rapid population growth and taxes, played a small yet

Throughout the 18th century, its population increased 8 to 10 million, making its total population nearly 31 million. In comparison to the previous century, it increased by almost 9 million. This sudden change occurred because of a decline in disease, food shortage and mortality. Most French citizens lived in the countryside, with the exception of large cities like Paris, Lyons, Bordeaux and Marseilles. Although mortality rates did experience a decline in the cities, those who lived on the countryside had a lower life expectancy due to their exposure to contaminated air and water. Because of the high concentration of people in rural areas after the population boom, at least 90 percent of peasants lived with only enough pay to feed themselves and their families. This issue continued to grow with the unexpected population change. In addition, there was a shortage of jobs which put many lower class citizens at a disadvantage in finding work with which they could support their families. Because peasants were so desperate for work, they were easily led into the revolutionary forces. They had the strongest feelings of irritation toward the upper classes due to their insensitivity toward the lower classes. (Cencer, page 1) (Halsall, page

Peasants, who, again formed the vast majority of the population, owned 40% of France’s total land. However, they were also the most heavily taxed. They “alone [paid] the taille” as well as a bulk of taxes despite them being aimed toward the nobles. Taxes consumed most of a lower class citizens income, which left them with only enough to life in discomfort. Most could afford only to feed their families. In some places, taxes consumed up to one third of the total income. Laborers were not considered a priority in France as they were in other countries, which was a key aspect in the heavy taxes put upon peasants. In other European countries such as England, the lower class earned a greater respect. Those who were born well into their society admired the intense labor which provided them with many resources. Because of this awareness, the peasants in England did not take as hard of a hit from taxes as the French. On top of taxes in France, it was demanded that they pay rent as well. Peasants, as the group who took part in the most labor but received the least pay, had to supply the country with practically all of its financial needs. Even so, the higher classes all supported the taxes because their lives were essentially unaffected by the peasants’ suffering. (Sée, pages