...excellent lesson on the workings of mob mentality. Both of these perspectives are feasible because never before in the history of Western Civilization had there been such a triumph for traditionally oppressed groups of men and women. France like many other nations at the time was in turmoil and civil unrest with classes dividing the people. Discontent within the peasantry was rising. Moreover, the support for the American Revolution and a weak monarch that forced the Ancien Regime, which undoubtedly had many negative features, were all trigger points to the French Revolution. Nevertheless, the one point that pushed the ideology of the revolution to actual actions was the economic state of France, so bad was the financial system that King Louis 14th was almost bankrupt.
France in the late 18th century was a society divided and separated by classes. The population was divided into three estates. The Third Estate was made up of the peasants, wage earners and beggars. They were the majority of the population. The Second Estate was for the nobility. The First Estate included the clergy. The Upper Clergy were very wealthy and influential and therefore they were the most powerful estate. The first and second estates had privileges and benefits over the third estate. For example even though these two estates were much more wealthier then the third they were exempt from paying taxes. They were also fortunate enough to be the only members of society to hold positions of importance such as officers in the army or judges in the courts. Over time the first two estates were taking advantage of their stature and this caused great dissatisfaction within the Third Estate. To put more fuel on the fire the peasants had many other grievances and one of the main objections they had was the seigniorial system. This system allowed for larger income inequality in France and a real...
