What was wrong with the French monarchy?
In 1789, food shortages and economic crises led to the outbreak of the French Revolution. King Louis and his queen, Mary-Antoinette, were imprisoned in August 1792, and in September the monarchy was abolished. In January 1793, Louis was convicted and condemned to death by a narrow majority.
Who paid most of the taxes in pre revolutionary France?
The tax system in pre-revolutionary France largely exempted the nobles and the clergy from taxes. The tax burden therefore devolved to the peasants, wage-earners, and the professional and business classes, also known as the Third Estate.
What was the direct tax called in France?
taille
Why was the Third Estate unfair?
The third estate was overtaxed because the government was in debt. The third estate found this to be unfair because the had very little money, while the wealthy were not being taxed. The Church also had money, but were not required to pay taxes. This caused the third estate to demand reform.
What were 3 causes of the French Revolution?
Although scholarly debate continues about the exact causes of the Revolution, the following reasons are commonly adduced: (1) the bourgeoisie resented its exclusion from political power and positions of honour; (2) the peasants were acutely aware of their situation and were less and less willing to support the …
Why was France in so much debt in the 1780s?
France’s Debt Problems France’s prolonged involvement in the Seven Years’ War of 1756–1763 drained the treasury, as did the country’s participation in the American Revolution of 1775–1783. These decades of fiscal irresponsibility were one of the primary factors that led to the French Revolution.
What were the 3 estates in France?
Estates-General, also called States General, French États-Généraux, in France of the pre-Revolution monarchy, the representative assembly of the three “estates,” or orders of the realm: the clergy (First Estate) and nobility (Second Estate)—which were privileged minorities—and the Third Estate, which represented the …
What did Abbe Sieyes say about the Third Estate?
In the pamphlet, Sieyès argues that the third estate – the common people of France – constituted a complete nation within itself and had no need of the “dead weight” of the two other orders, the first and second estates of the clergy and aristocracy.
Why did sieyes write what is the Third Estate?
Sieyès argued that commoners made up most of the nation and did most of its work, they were the nation. He urged members of the Third Estate to demand a constitution and greater political representation.