WESTERN CIVILIZATION Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

WESTERN CIVILIZATION - Essay Example The peasants were made to pay land tax, war tax, and an extraordinary number of dues were imposed on them such as, cloth dues, salt dues, bread dues, while the clergy and the nobility were exempt from paying taxes. Resentment and anger were fuming among the exploited poor peasants. These form the long time social background, which caused French Revolution. The administrative failure in France and her bankruptcy in the later part of the 18th century forced Louis XVI to call a general meeting of the Estates General. But differences ensued among the representatives regarding voting rights. On June 10, 1789 the Third Estate, consisting of the bourgeoisie, the peasants, and the liberal minded representatives from the members of the nobility declared itself the National Assembly. Louis XVI failed to disband the group. On July 14th commoners in Paris stormed the Bastille. French Revolution brought new hope and light to all other European states. As the age-old feudal system was demolished the new age upheld the high ideals of Enlightenment. New institutions came up which were based on reason and justice. Man broke the shackles of superstition, prejudice, oppression and cruelty of a fellow human being. New terms such as freedom, liberty, equality and brotherhood filled the hearts of men. For that generation, human rights came within sight; forces of oppression, tyranny and misery were identified. â€Å"So 1789 stands as the pivotal year- a watershed- in which these forces came to their abrupt and necessary