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Causes of The French Revolution 
The boulevards were like all the other streets, brilliantly illuminated, with immense
numbers of people walking up and down on this late February evening. Men, women, and
children were rejoicing, as the terrible struggles of the day had ceased. Near the Hotel
des Capucines there was a heavy force of military troops, who's main purpose seemed to be
directing traffic. All was tranquil for some time; presently a column of unarmed students
and artisans marched down the boulevard singing. Suddenly a shot echoed throughout the
city, an entire squadron of troops charged the crowd with muskets blazing and swords
drawn. Percy B. St John was an eyewitness to the events herein described; the following
was taken from his notes compiled at the time. "The sight was awful. Husbands were seen
dragging their fainting wives from the massacre; fathers snatching up their children,
with pale faces and clenched teeth, hurried away to put their young ones in safety, and
then to come out in arms against the monarchy. Women clung to railings, trees, or to a
wall, or fell fainting on the stones... Afterwards Utter strangers would be seen shaking
hands and congratulating one another on their escape."1 Shortly after the deputy General,
commanding the National Guard was on the spot making inquiries into the cause of this
most tragic and atrocious event. The Deputy addressed the Colonel, who commanded the
squadron with this remark..."you have committed an action, unworthy of a French soldier."
The Colonel, overwhelmed with shame, replied that the order to fire was a mistake.
Apparently a soldiers gun had gone off, accidentally striking his horse's leg in the
process. The Colonel, thinking he was under attack, gave the order to discharge. At this
the Deputy replied, "you are soldier, I believe in your good faith; but remember that an
awful responsibility rests on your head." A tremendous responsibility indeed, for because
of this action, the Colonel had started a flame that would eventually engulf the entire
monarchy. In his journal Percy B. St John gives a frighteningly accurate description of
what it was like to be a citizen living in France during the French Revolution. Although
he does not delve into the politics or causes behind the Revolution, he does give the
reader a unique opportunity to explore the thoughts and opinions of the common people
living in France, as told in the first person perspective. There have been numerous books
written about the French Revolution, not surprisingly since it's still one of the most
controversial events in modern history. One such book is simply called The French
Revolution and is written by a Frenchman named George Rude. The core of the book is a
fairly straightforward narrative account, covering social and economic changes, as well
as political and military events. The book starts off with the question "Why was there a
Revolution in France?" and finishes discussing the effects on Europe and the world.
However Rude's inclusion of a brief historical outline in his book is particularly
welcome. Rude goes on to describe the basic causes of the French Revolution "to be rooted
in the rigidities of French Society, particularly in the 18th century nobility."2 Lines
of distinction between classes were tightly drawn, and opportunities for social
advancement were very few. Rude goes on to say the economy was not growing as fast as it
should have been. The needs of an increasing population were not being met. Crops failed,
and trade was stagnant. The people could no longer be taxed, but the revenue had to come
from somewhere. The only solution was to tax the privileged classes. Many people of this
class were not completely willing to contribute to additional taxes, according to Rude,
most didn't care, or just didn't know how bad the current economy was. When the French
aided the Americans during the American Revolution, they sent men, ships, and guns as
well as financial aid. As a result, the budget of the French government was thrown out of
balance. It was soon necessary to vote new taxes after economic depression made the
growing dept even greater. But the king's power was not absolute; no new taxes could be
decreed unless registered in the district courts. However since the courts consisted
mainly of the privileged class, who were always ready to oppose the king, Louis XVI had
to find another way to legalize his edicts. As a result the States-General was called and
convened in May 1789. After persuasion by the nobility, they converted themselves into
The National Assembly in June 17, 1789. They then proceeded to draw up a new constitution
for France, which the king was forced to accept. Louis plan of tax reform had turned
against him. France proceeded deeper and deeper into debt as bad crops and famine
contributed to unrest. On July 14 a Paris mob stormed and demolished Bastille, an old
fortress housing political prisoners. The storming of the Bastille's was carried out by
the peasants. It also signified the start of the Le Grande Peur. The Le Grand Peur was a
period in which the popular masses rose up and attacked the nobility and privileged few.3
The National Convention, which reigned from September 1791, to October 1795, was the
government that executed the king in 1793. David Dowd, a New Yorker and author of The
French Revolution offers a slightly different perspective to this much debated event.
Dowd believes the French Monarchy was successful in running deficit budget after deficit
budget. This was aided by large costs brought on from previous spending by Lois XV and
Louis XIV. This did not stop Louis XVI from adding to the troubles. Dowd is less generous
toward the actions of Louis XVI. He argues that a stronger king would have been able to
crush the nobility or to force taxes upon them. Instead Louis was insistent on not
annoying the nobility. Therefore Louis had to borrow the differences in expenditures and
revenue, this action saw a constant loan cycle develop. When Turgot tried to stop this he
was overthrown by Marie Antoinette's hatred of him and the nobility's wish to see him
fired. When Turgot tried to change this Necker replaced him as financial manager; this
showed the power that the nobility had over the king regarding tax concessions. Dowd
continues to say that Louis was more concerned with his own personal interests than that
of the State and the Court. Often these matters bored him and he left it up to his
advisors and ministers. Even worse he would make hasty decisions that would cause more
consequences to France. Dowd argues government was inefficient and unrepresentative; that
France's support for the American Revolution was more a revenge policy by the monarchy
after France's drawn out Seven Year's War with England. Dowd believes that Louis XVI
should have been capable of overcoming his problems with the nobility. He should also
never have allowed himself to call the Estates-General. Instead Dowd discusses the
possibility of mild reforms to gain the support of the public again.4 Financial problems
in the year 1788 proved to be a trying time for all. All classes were discontent at the
Ancien regime and wanted change. Louis XVI did not take advantage of this situation to
introduce reforms and gain the support of the people. A few reforms would have prevented
Lois from summoning the Estates General. Instead this provided a stronger force against
absolutism in France. When the nobility decided to reject the king's vote at the Estates
General, Louis decided to close down their assembly hall. However the third estate, now
calling themselves The National Assembly, vowed to crush the monarchy. This marked the
beginning of the end for Louis. All four books offer a unique outlook on the causes of
the French Revolution. Each one contains particular information and/or theories
pertaining to this unfortunate and highly disputable period of our modern history.
Bibliography Braudel, Fernand. Capitalism and Material Life 1400-1800. Miriam Kochan
(tr.). 1973 Dowd, David L. The French Revolution. New York: American Heritage Publishing
Co., 1965. Percy B. St. John, The French Revolution of 1848: The Three Days of February,
New York, 1848. Rude, George. The French Revolution. London: Phoenix, 1988. 
Bibliography
Causes of The French Revolution 
The boulevards were like all the other streets, brilliantly illuminated, with immense
numbers of people walking up and down on this late February evening. Men, women, and
children were rejoicing, as the terrible struggles of the day had ceased. Near the Hotel
des Capucines there was a heavy force of military troops, who's main purpose seemed to be
directing traffic. All was tranquil for some time; presently a column of unarmed students
and artisans marched down the boulevard singing. Suddenly a shot echoed throughout the
city, an entire squadron of troops charged the crowd with muskets blazing and swords
drawn. Percy B. St John was an eyewitness to the events herein described; the following
was taken from his notes compiled at the time. "The sight was awful. Husbands were seen
dragging their fainting wives from the massacre; fathers snatching up their children,
with pale faces and clenched teeth, hurried away to put their young ones in safety, and
then to come out in arms against the monarchy. Women clung to railings, trees, or to a
wall, or fell fainting on the stones... Afterwards Utter strangers would be seen shaking
hands and congratulating one another on their escape."1 Shortly after the deputy General,
commanding the National Guard was on the spot making inquiries into the cause of this
most tragic and atrocious event. The Deputy addressed the Colonel, who commanded the
squadron with this remark..."you have committed an action, unworthy of a French soldier."
The Colonel, overwhelmed with shame, replied that the order to fire was a mistake.
Apparently a soldiers gun had gone off, accidentally striking his horse's leg in the
process. The Colonel, thinking he was under attack, gave the order to discharge. At this
the Deputy replied, "you are soldier, I believe in your good faith; but remember that an
awful responsibility rests on your head." A tremendous responsibility indeed, for because
of this action, the Colonel had started a flame that would eventually engulf the entire
monarchy. In his journal Percy B. St John gives a frighteningly accurate description of
what it was like to be a citizen living in France during the French Revolution. Although
he does not delve into the politics or causes behind the Revolution, he does give the
reader a unique opportunity to explore the thoughts and opinions of the common people
living in France, as told in the first person perspective. There have been numerous books
written about the French Revolution, not surprisingly since it's still one of the most
controversial events in modern history. One such book is simply called The French
Revolution and is written by a Frenchman named George Rude. The core of the book is a
fairly straightforward narrative account, covering social and economic changes, as well
as political and military events. The book starts off with the question "Why was there a
Revolution in France?" and finishes discussing the effects on Europe and the world.
However Rude's inclusion of a brief historical outline in his book is particularly
welcome. Rude goes on to describe the basic causes of the French Revolution "to be rooted
in the rigidities of French Society, particularly in the 18th century nobility."2 Lines
of distinction between classes were tightly drawn, and opportunities for social
advancement were very few. Rude goes on to say the economy was not growing as fast as it
should have been. The needs of an increasing population were not being met. Crops failed,
and trade was stagnant. The people could no longer be taxed, but the revenue had to come
from somewhere. The only solution was to tax the privileged classes. Many people of this
class were not completely willing to contribute to additional taxes, according to Rude,
most didn't care, or just didn't know how bad the current economy was. When the French
aided the Americans during the American Revolution, they sent men, ships, and guns as
well as financial aid. As a result, the budget of the French government was thrown out of
balance. It was soon necessary to vote new taxes after economic depression made the
growing dept even greater. But the king's power was not absolute; no new taxes could be
decreed unless registered in the district courts. However since the courts consisted
mainly of the privileged class, who were always ready to oppose the king, Louis XVI had
to find another way to legalize his edicts. As a result the States-General was called and
convened in May 1789. After persuasion by the nobility, they converted themselves into
The National Assembly in June 17, 1789. They then proceeded to draw up a new constitution
for France, which the king was forced to accept. Louis plan of tax reform had turned
against him. France proceeded deeper and deeper into debt as bad crops and famine
contributed to unrest. On July 14 a Paris mob stormed and demolished Bastille, an old
fortress housing political prisoners. The storming of the Bastille's was carried out by
the peasants. It also signified the start of the Le Grande Peur. The Le Grand Peur was a
period in which the popular masses rose up and attacked the nobility and privileged few.3
The National Convention, which reigned from September 1791, to October 1795, was the
government that executed the king in 1793. David Dowd, a New Yorker and author of The
French Revolution offers a slightly different perspective to this much debated event.
Dowd believes the French Monarchy was successful in running deficit budget after deficit
budget. This was aided by large costs brought on from previous spending by Lois XV and
Louis XIV. This did not stop Louis XVI from adding to the troubles. Dowd is less generous
toward the actions of Louis XVI. He argues that a stronger king would have been able to
crush the nobility or to force taxes upon them. Instead Louis was insistent on not
annoying the nobility. Therefore Louis had to borrow the differences in expenditures and
revenue, this action saw a constant loan cycle develop. When Turgot tried to stop this he
was overthrown by Marie Antoinette's hatred of him and the nobility's wish to see him
fired. When Turgot tried to change this Necker replaced him as financial manager; this
showed the power that the nobility had over the king regarding tax concessions. Dowd
continues to say that Louis was more concerned with his own personal interests than that
of the State and the Court. Often these matters bored him and he left it up to his
advisors and ministers. Even worse he would make hasty decisions that would cause more
consequences to France. Dowd argues government was inefficient and unrepresentative; that
France's support for the American Revolution was more a revenge policy by the monarchy
after France's drawn out Seven Year's War with England. Dowd believes that Louis XVI
should have been capable of overcoming his problems with the nobility. He should also
never have allowed himself to call the Estates-General. Instead Dowd discusses the
possibility of mild reforms to gain the support of the public again.4 Financial problems
in the year 1788 proved to be a trying time for all. All classes were discontent at the
Ancien regime and wanted change. Louis XVI did not take advantage of this situation to
introduce reforms and gain the support of the people. A few reforms would have prevented
Lois from summoning the Estates General. Instead this provided a stronger force against
absolutism in France. When the nobility decided to reject the king's vote at the Estates
General, Louis decided to close down their assembly hall. However the third estate, now
calling themselves The National Assembly, vowed to crush the monarchy. This marked the
beginning of the end for Louis. All four books offer a unique outlook on the causes of
the French Revolution. Each one contains particular information and/or theories
pertaining to this unfortunate and highly disputable period of our modern history.
Bibliography Braudel, Fernand. Capitalism and Material Life 1400-1800. Miriam Kochan
(tr.). 1973 Dowd, David L. The French Revolution. New York: American Heritage Publishing
Co., 1965. Percy B. St. John, The French Revolution of 1848: The Three Days of February,
New York, 1848. Rude, George. The French Revolution. London: Phoenix, 1988.