French Revolution
...it was the day Parisians stormed into the Bastille, a jail for political prisoners. The angry revolutionaries released the prisoners and killed off the guards. It was the first act of violence and revolt against the monarchy of Louis XIV, and an event that sparked a revolution that lasted for over twenty years. Yet even before this day, anger and frustration were bubbling within the people of France. The monarchy was oppressing the French people, and life for the working class was a rigid tumble down an endless a hill. As the disadvantages brought on by the government built up the French people ultimately stood up and fought for the rights they thought they finally deserved. Deepening debts of the government, an unfair division of economic classes, and the extreme poverty of the working class led to antagonism, injustice and ultimately, the people's revolution.
To begin with, the monarchy itself was in debt beyond its ability to control. Debts eventually lead to weak and indecisive governments that can not help their people. A major cause of this was the deficit spending, or when the spending of money exceeds that of the earnings. King Louis XIV had brought upon France deep debts from the Seven Year's War as well as the American Revolution. Also, as costs of luxury increased in the 1700's, the lavish life of the court cost millions. To help pay their debts the government borrowed more and more money causing France to be indebted even further. Louis XV's economic advisor, Jaques Necker, proposed an increase of taxes and a reduction of spending. Yet, the upper classes, nobles and clergy, refused to do either. Their decisions reflected the unmatched powers they had over France.
This inequality among the different classes in the country eventually lead to rising resentment and conflict between the sects of people. Taxes were on the rise to help pay for France's huge...
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