Social factors
- Prior to the French Revolution, France was made up of a social hierarchy that was defined by birth.
- The monarch and aristocrats held the most power in that society.
- The elite made up about 4% of the population in France, and the common people made up approximately 96% of the population.
- The commoners were forced to pay taxes while the upper classes were exempted from doing so thus they were able to gain their wealth from the taxes the commoners paid.
- People gathered together in cafés, salons, and private homes to discuss and develop new ideas about liberty, happiness, religious freedom, and individual rights.
- Francois-Marie Arouet, also known as Voltaire, was a famous writer who mocked the elite class.
- He was thrown into the Bastille because of voicing his opinions about the aristocrats.
- He wrote numerous philosophical works that influenced both the French and American Revolution.
- The growing middle class named the bourgeoisie who were men living in the city and towns.
- They were educated, well-travelled and run thriving businesses. They also were involved in trading goods.
- They were aware of the ideas of individual rights and of how the American revolution led to the independent country of the United State.
- New scientific ideas were also becoming prevalent during this time and they challenged former beliefs about the world.
- The bourgeoisie spread new ideas that changed the individual’s perspectives and views about themselves and the French society.