The French Revolution
Development of Sociological Theory
Sociology 1400
UMD
I. CLASS STRUCTURE OF FRANCE
- FIRST ESTATE: CLERGY
- 130,000 MEMBERS
- PRIVILEGES
- COLLECTED CHURCH TAX (TITHE)
- SUPERVISED EDUCATION
- REGISTERED BIRTHS, DEATHS, MARRIAGES.
- EXEMPTIONS
PAID NO TAXES, ALTHOUGH OWNING 1/5 OF THE LAND IN FRANCE
- COULD NOT BE TRIED IN CIVIL LAW COURTS
- SECOND ESTATE: NOBILITY
- 110,000 MEMBERS
- PRIVILEGES
- COLLECTED TAXES (FEUDAL DUES)
- MONOPOLIZED APPOINTMENTS IN STATE AND MILITARY SERVICE
- EXEMPTIONS
PAID NO TAXES; ALTHOUGH OWNED 1/5 OF THE LAND
- THIRD ESTATE: BOURGEOISIE; PROFESSIONALS; WORKERS; PEASANTS
- 24,750,000 MEMBERS
- PRIVILEGES: NONE
- EXEMPTIONS: NONE (THE BURDEN OF TAXATION FELL UPON THIS CLASS)
II. CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION
- ABSOLUTE GOVERNMENT
- PRIVILEGES OF THE FEW, POVERTY OF THE MANY
- UNJUST AND HEAVY TAXATION
- INTELLECTUAL INFLUENCES
- RESTRICTIONS ON TRADE AND COMMERCE
- EVIDENT LUXURY AND LEISURE
- GROWING WEALTH OF FRENCH BOURGEOISIE WAS MAKING THEM MORE IMPORTANT
DEMANDED TWO MAJOR CHANGES:
- a. BUSINESS FREEDOM
- b. PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT
- INFLUENCE OF:
- ENGLISH GLORIOUS REVOLUTION 1688-89) AND
- U.S. REVOLUTION (1776-83)
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Last modified on Tue Feb 27