Factors (Reasons) that caused the fall (Collapse) of Bourbon monarch by 1793

The fall of the Bourbon monarchy by 1793 was driven by several key factors:

1. Economic Crisis: France faced severe financial difficulties due to years of war, including the American Revolutionary War, and extravagant spending by the monarchy. The government was deeply in debt and attempts to reform the tax system were blocked by the nobility and clergy.
2. Social Inequality: The rigid social hierarchy and privileges of the nobility and clergy created widespread discontent among the common people, who bore the brunt of taxation and economic hardship.
3. Political Incompetence: King Louis XVI’s indecisiveness and inability to effectively address the country’s problems eroded his authority and credibility. His failure to implement meaningful reforms alienated both the nobility and the emerging bourgeoisie.
4. Enlightenment Ideas: The spread of Enlightenment ideas challenged traditional authority and promoted concepts of liberty, equality, and fraternity. These ideas inspired revolutionary sentiments and demands for political change.
5. Food Shortages: Poor harvests in the late 1780s led to food shortages and increased bread prices, exacerbating social unrest and fuelling revolutionary fervour.
6. Popular Uprisings: Events like the Women’s March on Versailles and the storming of the Bastille demonstrated the power of popular movements and the willingness of ordinary citizens to take direct action against the monarchy.
7. Flight to Varennes: The king’s attempted escape in June 1791 was seen as an act of treason and further undermined his legitimacy. It convinced many revolutionaries that the monarchy could not be trusted and needed to be abolished.
8. Radicalization of the Revolution: The revolution became increasingly radical, with the rise of more extreme factions like the Jacobins, who pushed for the complete overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic.

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Dr. Bbosa Science