French Revolution, The
French Revolution, The | The Peasants Sought Greater Economic Freedoms
The French economy in the eighteenth century was based heavily on the feudal system, in which a feudal lord or seigneur owned large swaths of land on which peasants worked in exchange for portions of the crops. Peasants became increasingly disillusioned with the feudal system in the 1780s. In the following viewpoint, taken from a cahier (letter) written to finance minister Jacque Necker by the inhabitants of the feudal lands in Montjoye-Vaufrey, the peasants argue that their seigneur has exploited them economically. According to the peasants, the feudal lord demands...
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- Introduction
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Chapter 1: The Causes of the French Revolution
- The Aristocrats Sought Greater Civil Rights for All French Citizens
- Revolting Against the Monarchy Was a Rational Act
- Revolting Against the Monarchy Was an Irrational Act
- Chapter 1 Preface
- The Middle Class Sought Increased Political Rights
- The Peasants Sought Greater Economic Freedoms
- The French Monarchy Was Beset with Financial Problems
- The French Monarchy’s Financial Problems Were Exaggerated
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Chapter 2: The Controversial Events of the French Revolution
- Chapter 2 Preface
- Violence at the Bastille Was Caused by French Rioters
- Violence at the Bastille Was Caused by French Troops
- The Founding of a French Republic Is an Important Achievement
- The French Republic Will Not Last
- The Reign of Terror Was Caused by Jacobin Leadership
- The Reign of Terror Was Not Caused by Jacobin Leadership
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Chapter 3: Social Change in Revolutionary France
- Chapter 3 Preface
- French Women Should Become Politically Active
- French Women Should Remain in the Domestic Sphere
- French Jews Should Be Granted Citizenship
- French Jews Should Not Be Granted Citizenship
- The French Revolution Transformed Many Elements of French Society
- The French Revolution Did Not Transform French Society
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Chapter 4: Historians Evaluate the French Revolution
- Chapter 4 Preface
- The French Revolution Had Largely Negative Effects on the Economy
- The French Revolution Had Positive Effects on the Economy
- French Women Attained Lasting Political Power During the French Revolution
- French Women Did Not Attain Lasting Political Power During the French Revolution
- The French Revolution Spurred a Greater Respect for the Nation-State
- The French Revolution Produced a Greater Respect for the Individual
- Appendix of Documents
- Chronology
- For Further Research
- For Further Discussion
- Copyright
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