French & Industrial Revolution
The French and Industrial Revolution made an impact to our political culture and social society that still has its affects today. These two revolutions are very different because the French Revolution was more geared to the changes in society as well as politics, whereas the Industrial Revolution was more of a technological era concentrating on land, capitol, and labor. Although these two revolutions made significant changes in different areas, they also made similar changes to the political culture, society and the every day lives in europe.
The start of the French Revolution was due to a build-up of inequalities, bankruptcy, and the influence of The Enlightenment and the American Revolution.
The First and Second Estates, which was made up of rich nobles, did not have to pay taxes and had special privileges as most of the First and Second Estates were closely related to royalty. In contrast, the Third Estate was made up of the townspeople who worked hard every day and paid heavy taxes. The emerging Bourgeoisie was against the privileged class; this meant they saw the privileged class as the only hurdle between themselves and liberty, equality, and justice within French society. "Justice has its anger, my lord Bishop, and the wrath of justice is an element of progress. Whatever else may be said of it, the French Revolution was the greatest step forward by mankind since the coming of Christ. It was unfinished, I agree, but still it was sublime. It released the untapped springs of society; it softened hearts, appeased, tranquilized, enlightened, and set flowing through the world the tides of civilization. It was good. The French Revolution was the anointing of humanity." (Hugo). The king who reigned before Louis XVI was his grandfather Louie the XIV who spent too much money during his reign and caused the government to go into a downward spiral. Louis XVI followed in his grandfathers path and continued to not cut down on his...