How Did The Enlightenment Influence The French Revolution: Ancien Régime

Introduction

The French Revolution was a radical period of extreme political and societal upheaval from 1789 to 1799. Despite the many causes for the revolution, it is to my contention that the most significant reason was the social inequalities that triggered the demand for change and reform of the nature of political power in France.

The debate regarding the exact causes of the revolution continues and is prevalent amongst historians today, however, the following reasons are adduced. The major reasons for the revolution lies in the social impacts, specifically the social inequalities in France due to the estates system as well as the weak and inept leadership due to the absolute monarchy. The financial impact being the financial inequalities of the people in France and finally, the political impacts being the enlightenment ideas which had spread amongst the Third Estate. There are ultimately a range of reasons as to why the revolution occurred and it continues to influence modern society today, however the inequities in France at the time are arguably the biggest cause for the French Revolution. In this essay, I will explore how did Enlightenment ideas influence the French Revolution. 

Social inequalities

Social inequalities are argued by historians as the cause for the French Revolution. During the 18th century, France was under an absolute monarchy of Louis XVI who was king shouldered the blame for causing the French Revolution due to his weak and inept leadership. The French king took the throne at twenty years old, lacking political insight and self-confidence due to being unprepared by his education as his government failed to prepare him for the challenges of government. His weak and inexperienced leadership led France into deep debt partly through an inadequate taxation system in an attempt to minimize the royal deficit. In support of this, historian John Hardman describes Louis XVI as “the biggest blunder of his reign.”

French society was divided into three states: the First Estate which consisted of priests who ran the Catholic church as well as some aspects of France such as collecting church tax (the tithe), supervising education, and registering births, deaths, and marriages. The Second Estate consisted of members of the royal family and nobility. Lastly the Third Estate (consisted of peasants, farmers, and the bourgeoisie). The Nobility and Clergy were exempt from paying taxes, meanwhile, the Third Estate had to contribute their earnings to the King, as well as having to pay half of their earnings to the tithes of the church and the nobles. The social inequalities between the Third Estate and the First and Second Estate are clear and were a major contributing factor of the French Revolution.

Louis XVI’s decision-making and lack of authority drastically changed the views held by the people of France, resenting the despotic monarchy and portrayed to be indifferent to the needs of the French, because of this, triggering radical change.

The Third Estate had little to no power, despite making up a majority of the French population (98%). This ultimately led to dramatic inequalities between the estates.

A cartoon titled 'Le peuple sous l'ancien Regime' (Dated 1815) Depicts King Louis XVI, a bishop and a member of the aristocracy riding on the back of a man who is blindfolded and in chains, on his hands and knees. The man represented the people and highlighted the people's attitudes and their unhappiness with their condition. This could be due to the fact that they were very heavily taxed by the government, and were not entitled to the privileges that the clergy and nobles had. It is evident that there was tension between the people and the estates because of this, and thus is a contributing factor of the cause of the French Revolution. This is further supported by another propaganda poster titled “A faut esperer que jeu la finira ben tot” , dated 1789 depicts a peasant carrying the two orders - clergy and nobility) . It is clear from this that the people of France were suffering under the Estate system. ‘A faut esperer que jeu la finira ben tot’ and 'Le peuple sous l'ancien Regime' both highlight the heavy burden that the Third estates have to carry of the clergy and the nobles, while they reap the rewards. Through this, it can be understood that propaganda posters were used to communicate the people’s feelings and attitudes towards the higher estates, and heavily influenced the people’s demand for change, as well as playing a large role in politically influencing people’s views, ultimately being a major cause for the revolution.

Financial influence

The financial crisis in France played an important role in creating the social background for the revolution. Throughout the late 1700s, France was facing a mounting economic crisis and by 1789 France was broke as the peasants did not have the financial means to pay taxes and the nobility opposed paying taxes. The main reasons for this were the unfair tax structure implemented by King Louis XVI and the corruption and lifestyle of the royal family. France’s involvement in the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) deepened the country's debt due to the cost of fighting the war. Their support in providing goods and billions of livres towards the American Revolution (1755-1783) caused great financial strain to France’s economy.

France’s population was growing which resulted in a shortage of food supply. The 1788 winter resulted in widespread famine. This is evident in Arthur Young’s, an agriculturist's travel excerpts. Young traveled through France from 1787 to 1789. “The lack of bread is terrible..stories arrive from the provinces of riots and disturbances.. The bread has risen above people's ability to pay. This causes great misery” (adapted) Food shortages and excessive pricing sparked a wave of public outrage in the Paris Basin’s towns and villages. This is further supported by a print depicting the French aristocrats gorging on food while the protesting and angered crowd starved. The print reflects the difference of quality of life based on the Estates. The peasants struggled greatly with affording and obtaining food, meanwhile, the higher estates were able to enjoy these privileges. Young's extract and print heavily highlight the economic crisis of France and the impact it had on the people. From 1789 until 1799, the Third Estate heavily contributed to the French Revolution by participating in widespread riots that eventually overthrew the feudal system's strict segregation known as the old regime. Therefore, the financial grievances in France sparked distrust, violence and demand for change, thus playing a significant role in the French Revolution.

Political influence

The Enlightenment played a significant role in the French Revolution. The Enlightenment was a movement that opposed absolute monarchy and ultimately inspired revolutionary ideas of transforming France into a republic. Philosophers such as Abbe Sieyes played an important role in spreading Enlightenment ideas to the people of France through inspiring people to question the system in which they lived and to consider political involvement, freedom, justice, and equality. This is exemplified through the lines of an extract from a famous pamphlet named What is the Third Estate? written by Abbe Sieyes January 1789 (adapted), an Enlightenment scholar. “What is the Third Estate? Everything. What has it been until now in the political order? Nothing. What does it want to be? Something.” It is clear that from this extract the Third Estate wanted more influence in the political system. The three short statements convey the mood of the Third Estate, outlining their frustrations of being treated poorly and overlooked by the two other Estates. Sieyes’ statement also outlines The Third Estate’s social, political, and economic complaints. The pamphlet expressed concerns that would become heavily contested during the Estates-convocation General in 1789. Through attacking the old regime, Sieyes's pamphlet played an extreme role in influencing the revolutionary thought that drove France into a revolution. Additionally, Historians, today believe that the Enlightenment ultimately led France toward a revolution. Modern Historian Albert Soboul states that the Enlightenment “undermined the ideological foundations of the old order” and “was positive: a rising class with a belief in progress” through these quote extracts, Soboul reiterates the impact that the Enlightenment had on French society at the time, with ideas spreading, challenging the old regime. By opposing the old regime, people as well as the bourgeoisie began demanding political influence. Soboul’s extract as well as the What is the Third estate? The pamphlet essentially communicates the significance of the Enlightenment as it promoted democracy, which contributed greatly to the French Revolution. It can be understood that the Enlightenment had a great impact in encouraging ideas for reform by criticizing the monarch.

Conclusion

To conclude, there are a number of reasons for the French Revolution such as social inequalities, the spread of political influences, as well as financial grievances. The social inequalities however were the most significant reason behind the resolution. King Louis XVI’s poor leadership, the exploitative social system implemented and the majority of the population left disregarded by the old regime caused growing discontent, calling for the radical change which triggered a 10-year upheaval and the end of a thousand-year monarchy. It was the social inequalities in France that contributed significantly to the Revolution.