Causes of the French Revolution

The French Revolution was caused by many factors; some were significant and played a large role while others were of minor consequence. France was one of the richest and most powerful nations even though they were facing some economic difficulties. The French Revolution was a pivotal period in the history of French, European and Western civilization. During this period of time there was the formation of republicanism which replaced the absolute monarchy in France.

Before the French Revolution Louis XVI was in power, but in due time his old regime of absolute monarchy was brought down. Some people were in favor of this revolution wanting equality and some were not. One person who was in favor of this desire for equality and change was Adam Smith. His ideas of a modern free market and the division of labor would give everyone an equal opportunity at being successful. Under absolute monarchy this would never have been allowed.

I believe the main causes of the French revolution were absolutism and privilege, famine, and economics. These three factors each played an important role in the French Revolution, which led to the fall of the old regime.

Absolutism and privilege were key factors in the French Revolution. Absolutism was becoming an increasingly unpopular form of government at the time. While at the same time the large middle class was absorbing the ideology of equality and the belief in the freedom of an individual, from the philosophers of the Enlightenment. After the American Revolution the French realized it was possible that the ideas of the philosophers about governmental organization could be established. These ideas were then being widely spread across France in hopes of a change in governmental structure. As well at this time many people were challenging the Catholic Church and pushing for freedom of speech. This push for more freedom, less restriction by the Catholic Church, belief in equality, and change in government structure all pushed the French to revolt.

There was a great scarcity of food in the 1780's. Crop failures and shortages of food sent prices soaring. When prices got so high that peasants and other third estate citizens couldn't afford food there was an inevitable uprising. The peasantry became a class with the ambition to counteract social inequity and put a stop to escalating