The existence of social and economic problems is not enough to

explain a revolution. Grievances only turn into a revolution when

you add the factor of radical ideas. To what extent do you agree with
this statement?

The French revolution was inevitable due to its financial and social
problems. The diversity of Frances social hierarchy meant that no
singular problem would affect all, thus it was enlightened ideas that
united the grievances of the estates. The enlightenment played a
large role as the catalyst revolt, but ultimately the revolution
stemmed from the social and financial grievances.

The enlightened ideas written by philosophes became the

foundation of the revolution. The ideas aimed to criticize
contemporary society and importantly taught the bourgeoisie how
to think for themselves. Montesquieu argued that power should be
separated and no one man should have complete control, arguing
that liberty depends on the three powers being kept entirely
separate. Absolutism was seen as integral to society. The
overwhelming girth of Catholicism meant that the people of France
dared not to question the King, and therefore question God himself
in fear of persecution. Philosophes such as Montesquieu normalized
critical thinking allowing self-realization and enlightenment to begin.
Rousseau popularized the important of the kings duty to his people.
Questioning the churches power in stating that power comes not
from God but from the mass of people, Rousseau believed the
Kings duty was to create equality and liberty, a duty, which he
failed to apply. Again, we see the formalization of typical thinking,
which in turned reinforced these ideas. The bourgeois detested the
injustice they faced, outlined by Rousseau, and it was through the
enlightened ideas they began to form ideas of revolution. Though
the radical enlightened ideas had strong impact on the 2nd estate
and the bourgeois, the illiterate mass of peasants were never to
read of such ideas.

The financial crisis in France was universal among the three estates
and the primary reason behind the revolution. The extreme poverty
among the 99% of the population in the third estate forced active
movement. In a time where 65-90% of income was spent on bread,
revolution was eminent. In contrast, the clergy spent vast amounts
to build Versailles and to fund the American War of Independence
whilst peasants struggled to feed themselves. Importantly on 13 of
June 1788, crops were devastated, lending the peasants to further
grievances, acted out as riots such as the Reveillon riots in April
1789. The phrase Down with the rich, shouted at the riots,
embodied the 3rd estates viewpoint. The 3rd estate was forced to
pay higher tax, such as the tithe, in order to sustain the clergys
extravagant lifestyle, whilst they could not feed their family. Brienne
argued for taxation by representation, a solution to adhere to a
major grievance among the 3rd estate who had no voice, this was
ultimately rejected, only heightening tensions between the classes.

The hierarchal system became the backbone of the revolution due

to the social grievances it caused. This system stimulated hate and
discrimination, used as incentive of revolt by the 3rd estate. Calonne
argues that it is due to the systemic privilege, preventing all
stability, and that it is the corrupt system which inevitably lead to
the revolution. This Marxist view shows that with a class system in
place, revolution was absolute and the lower class would rise. In
March and April 1789, many peasants refused to pay taxes and
refused to acknowledge honorific privileges. This early example of
revolution was repeated and cultivated into the French revolution.
The bourgeois followed in Voltaires ideology of natural morality,
deploring the Clergys power. The struggle endeavor and for
recognition and a voice cultivated its self as the revolution.

The revolution hinged on the fundamental ideas of enlightenment,

but ultimately it was the combination of the social, financial, political
failures in France, and the weak leading of Louis XVI, which all
became large contributors in the Revolution. When people are
hungry, they are angry - GD