The Women's March on Versailles: Power of the People in the French Revolution

In the years leading up to the French Revolution, tensions across France were steadily rising. The burdens of the common people, particularly those of the Third Estate, had reached unbearable levels. While the nobility and clergy enjoyed privileges and wealth, the vast majority of the population struggled under the weight of excessive taxation and economic instability. The inequalities in French society were stark, fueling resentment that would ultimately ignite revolutionary fervor.

One of the most pressing concerns for the people of France was the relentless increase in bread prices. As the primary staple of the French diet, bread was essential for survival, yet by 1789, its cost had soared beyond what many could afford. A series of poor harvests, combined with inflation and a flawed taxation system, meant that working-class families were spending nearly all their income just to feed themselves. Women, who were responsible for feeding their households, were particularly affected. Their desperation grew as they saw their children go hungry, pushing them toward direct action against those they held responsible for their suffering.

At the same time, the ideas of the Enlightenment had begun to take hold among the people. Thinkers like Rousseau, Voltaire, and Montesquieu had challenged the foundations of monarchy, divine rule, and social inequality. The belief that sovereignty should rest with the people rather than the king inspired many to question the legitimacy of their rulers. These ideas were not confined to intellectual circles; they spread through pamphlets, newspapers, and public gatherings, reaching even the market women and working-class citizens of Paris. For many, the Enlightenment provided not just a critique of the monarchy, but a vision for a new society built on justice and equality.

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