Xu Weichen (29) Class 4I
History Assignment-French Revolution
History Essay: To what extent do you agree with the statement Louis XIVs
inability to rule is the main cause of the French Revolution?
The French Revolution is an event that truly defined itself, starting with the
storming of the Bastille, the French Revolution shatters the very foundation of
the French society in the 18th century, caused a paradigm shift in both the
mindset of people and the formation of the government. Various factors
influence the French Revolution. Though Louis XVIs inability to rule and the
spread of enlightenment ideas could be major factors involved, I believe that
the long-existed social tensions within the French society is the underlying
factor and main cause of the French Revolution.
Louis XVI, a king with inadequate leadership quality and value, was unable to
rule his country well, and it ultimately leads to the peoples contempt and
discontent of the government. In 1774, Louis XVI inherited the throne at the
very young age (of less than 20 years old). Despite excelling in his studies
during his childhood, the strict education his received was apparently
insufficient to prepare him for the role. Being an inexperienced and reluctant
king, he was often capricious and indecisive when it comes to policy making
and issue debating. These shortcomings were soon recognized and exploited
by the first and second estate of the French society. Louis XVI made attempts
to ameliorate the stagnant economical condition, though they were often
opposed by the nobility and ultimately, he gave in to their demands due to his
lack of determination to push the reform through. Louis XVI had planned to
modernize Frances economy by enhancing the tax collection and free trade
in grain. However, he faced strong resistance from the nobility and the
parliament and his plan was abolished. His actions have negative implications
on the France economy and its society, as implementations of policies no
longer strives towards the common good of the society and the state welfare,
but rather centered upon preferential treatment for the nobilities at the top of
the societal hierarchy. Not only that, Louis XVI was incompetent, which means
he lacks long term vision and the ability to manage the state well. His
decisions often damage the credibility of the government, causing people to
lose trust in the monarchy. His lack of foresight brought France into the
American Revolution, which was a foolish and unjustified action of his
because France was already in an economic mass. His uncalculated and
rushed actions have worsened the financial crisis in France as he borrowed
extensively to support his army. And yet the poorest of French society, the 3 rd
estate, paid the most tax to the monarchy. Louis XVIs inability to rule the state
and his people stirred up anger among the people. Effective leaders in history
were able to motivate and understand the difficulties of his people. Meeting
the needs of people is a basic to getting people to work towards a common
goal. Louis XVI failed to do so both biologically and psychologically. It is just a
matter of time before the people totally lose hope and trust in the monarchy.
Their resentment was later translated into action, such as the storming of the
Bastille, in which declared the start of the revolution.
Indeed, Louis XVIs inability to rule stirred anger among the crowd. However,
one must not forget the social tensions that long existed in the French society.
Social hierarchy existed in the French society with the first 2 estates, in which
Xu Weichen (29) Class 4I
History Assignment-French Revolution
consist of the nobility and the clergy, dominating the poor and helpless 3 rd
estate that consists of bourgeoisies and workers. The first 2 estates made up
only 2% of the nations population, while the 3 rd estate occupies the rest. The
3rd estate is struggling at the bottom of the social hierarchy. Peasants of the 3 rd
estate are often forced into Corve labour and yet they were burden with the
tax, rents and dues from both the first 2 estates and from the monarchy.
Death penalties for them are cruel and inhumane as they would be suffering
from being burnt alive. On the other hand, members of the first 2 estates
enjoyed much more privileges and benefits. They were exempted out from all
the national tax and military services. Moreover, they are able to collect their
own tax from the 3rd estates in the form of goods. The nobilities are given to
right to carry swords and the right to death through fast decapitation. Their
political superiority had them a monopoly of prestigious and lucrative positions
such as positions in the church, government administration and military
service. Not only was the 3 rd estate highly irritated by the first 2 estates
unjustified privileges, bourgeoisies of the 3 rd estate also found it highly
disturbing upon the deadly fact that meritocracy was denied in the French
society. The nobles had the belief in the inherent superiority over the Third
Estate as determined by their high births, and therefore their rights and
privileges are justified. Therefore, it was almost impossible for members of the
third estate to climb up the social ladder and join the ranks of the nobles.
Which gives a frustrating signal that ones fate was determined by his birth,
and inequality was forced upon him for life. What further widened the social
gap was the incident of the tennis court oath, where the representatives of the
3rd estates were denied their political rights and had no say in the decision
making process of the monarchy and thus was forced to move to tennis court
next door. Such inequality and differences as a result of noble dominance
begot frustration and resentment among the people in the Third Estate, which
fuelled the anger for the French Revolution.
As frustration and discontentment escalates, the massive and rapid spread of
new ideas seemed to have opened up a new door to heaven for the
revolutionaries. The age of enlightenment in the 18 th century brought about
new ideas that would much influence the philosophes and the writers to
expose the corrupted and ugly side of the French society at that time. They
challenged the establishment by constantly attacking the despotic monarchy
and the monopoly of the church with hidden messages in novels, play and
etc. They sought to challenge the establishment and create a whole new
society in which people are entitled to equality and religious freedom. These
appealed very much to the bourgeoisies. Their ideas provided much attractive
ideals to a utopia and thus able to counter any desperation and inequality. For
example, Montesquieu advocated for a fair social system without any feudal
inequalities. Rousseau pushed for the idea that sovereignty was in the hands
of people. Additionally, the rights of people and of the citizens are declared
due to the wide influence of the new ideas. These ideals caused wide spread
of discontentment and free thoughts in the 3 rd estate thus fuelled them with
hope and motivation to stand out against the inequalities that existed in the
state. Moreover, the American army much influenced the French army with
their ideals of revolution and democratic justice. French soldiers who fought
along personally witness the success of a democratic colony, independent
Xu Weichen (29) Class 4I
History Assignment-French Revolution
and free. These two factors much struck the crowd, and they realized that
they too wield the power to change the society and the monarchy, which they
were unaware before these ideas came into play. To live a better life, the only
way is to and revolt. Keeping a common goal in mind, the crowd was much
motivated to rebel against a unjust and corrupted government, causing a
revolution to occur.
Despite the fact that the French revolution started during the rule of Louis XVI,
he was not the main factor that caused the French revolution. Louis XVI
inherited a state of stagnant economy and corrupted governors from his father
at a very young age. His is merely an unprepared and unlucky king who
stepped up at the wrong time when the situation is too difficult to be handled.
His careless actions, in which benefited the first 2 estates, merely served as a
catalyst to the rising social tensions. On the other hand, the spread of new
ideas caused people to question the monarchy and its unjustified laws and
policies that only benefited the top of the social hierarchy. Although these
critics only floated up during the French revolution, but the social distinction
between classes long existed and the tension was long embed in the society.
It seemed that it is justified then, to say that Louis XVIs in ability to rule and
the spread of new ideas are merely catalysts to the evolution of the French
revolution and the social tension between the estates is the underlying factor
of the French Revolution itself.
Score: 12/15
