Question

global history
prelude to revolution

1. what type of government did the french have at the outset of revolution?
2. how did the government deny people rights?
3. how was the french judicial system different from ours?
4. what changed socially by the 1700s?
5. who were the bourgeoisie? (specifically...)
6. how did the upper classes view the bourgeoisie?
7. why were the bourgeoisie unhappy?
8. why had the economic mood in france become revolutionary?
9. why might a french peasant justifiably argue that the land distribution was unfair?
10. why was the french treasury bankrupt?
11. what was the last economic straw?
12. how did the enlightenment contribute to the revolutionary mood in france?
13. in particular, how did the writings impact the bourgeoisie?

Explanation:

1. Type of government at the outset of revolution: France had an absolute monarchy. The king held supreme power and there was little to no check - and - balance on his authority.
2. Denial of rights: People were jailed without trial, which is a clear violation of basic legal rights such as the right to due process.
3. Judicial system: In pre - revolutionary France, the accused were considered guilty until proven innocent, which is the opposite of the modern principle of "innocent until proven guilty".
4. Social change in 1700s: The rise of a wealthy and educated middle class, known as the bourgeoisie, challenged the existing social hierarchy dominated by the nobility and clergy.
5. Bourgeoisie: They were the middle - class merchants, professionals, and manufacturers who had economic power but lacked the social and political status of the upper classes.
6. Upper - class view of bourgeoisie: The upper classes, mainly the nobility and clergy, looked down upon the bourgeoisie, seeing them as mere tradesmen and beneath their social status.
7. Unhappy bourgeoisie: They were unhappy because they faced social discrimination despite their economic wealth, and had limited political power.
8. Revolutionary economic mood: Economic problems like high taxes, debt, and food shortages, along with the ideas of the Enlightenment, contributed to a revolutionary mood.
9. Unfair land distribution: Peasants could argue that land distribution was unfair as a small percentage of the population (nobility and clergy) owned a large amount of land, while the majority (peasants) had little.
10. French treasury bankruptcy: Costly wars (such as the Seven Years' War and support for the American Revolution), inefficient tax systems that exempted the nobility and clergy, and lavish royal spending led to bankruptcy.
11. Last economic straw: The decision to increase taxes on the already - burdened Third Estate (which included the bourgeoisie and peasants) was a major economic trigger for the revolution.
12. Enlightenment contribution: Enlightenment ideas about liberty, equality, and democracy challenged the traditional authority of the monarchy and the Church, fueling the revolutionary mood.
13. Writings impact on bourgeoisie: Enlightenment writings gave the bourgeoisie intellectual ammunition to demand political and social reforms, as they resonated with ideas of individual rights and a more just society.

Answer:

1. Absolute monarchy
2. Jailed without trial
3. Accused were considered guilty until proven innocent
4. Rise of a wealthy and educated middle class
5. Middle - class merchants, professionals, and manufacturers
6. Considered them dirty tradesmen
7. Social discrimination and limited political power
8. Economic problems like high taxes, debt, and food shortages
9. Small percentage of population owned most of the land
10. Costly wars, inefficient tax system, and lavish royal spending
11. Tax increase on the Third Estate
12. Challenged traditional authority with ideas of liberty, equality, and democracy
13. Gave intellectual support for political and social reforms