Why were the French people before revolution so poor? The French people before the Revolution were poor due to a combination of economic, social, and political factors:
Feudal System:
The feudal system entrenched social inequalities, with peasants bearing heavy burdens while the nobility and clergy enjoyed privileges. Peasants paid various taxes, rents, and feudal dues to their landlords and the church.
Taxation:
The tax system was highly inequitable. The Third Estate (commoners, including peasants and the bourgeoisie) bore the brunt of taxation, while the First Estate (clergy) and Second Estate (nobility) were largely exempt. Taxes included the taille (a direct land tax), the gabelle (a salt tax), and various other levies.
Economic Mismanagement:
The French economy was poorly managed. The government accumulated massive debts, partly due to involvement in costly wars like the Seven Years’ War and the American Revolutionary War. Efforts to reform the tax system and reduce debt were often blocked by the nobility.
Agricultural Issues:
Agriculture was the mainstay of the French economy, but it was inefficient and susceptible to poor harvests. Bad weather and crop failures in the late 1780s led to food shortages and high bread prices, exacerbating the suffering of the peasantry.
Population Growth:
France’s population grew significantly in the 18th century, putting pressure on resources and land. This growth, coupled with agricultural challenges, led to widespread poverty and unemployment.
Economic Inequality:
Wealth was concentrated in the hands of a few. The bourgeoisie, although part of the Third Estate, began to accumulate wealth and power, leading to increasing resentment among the poorer classes.
Political Corruption:
The monarchy and government were seen as corrupt and inefficient. The lavish spending of the royal court, particularly by Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, contrasted sharply with the poverty of the general population.
These factors combined to create widespread discontent and set the stage for the French Revolution, as the impoverished masses sought to address their grievances and seek greater equality and justice.
