Unfair Tax System and Spending

Despite being deprived of basic human rights, the third estate was also very heavily taxed. There were five main taxes that were imposed upon the peasants. The first one being the taille. This is a property tax that would be paid to the King simply for living in the country. Next tax is called the corvee. The peasants would be required to labour without pay for the local noble or aristocrat. The gabelle was a salt tax. In those days, salt was very valuable and sought after. Any time a peasant would purchase salt they would be forced to pay a tax. The franc-fief was a tax that was required for a commoner to hold an establishment. This would make it very difficult for peasants to start a business or to make a lot of money with one. Lastly is the tithe. This is technically not a tax but since the church and the state were one, it became a tax. It was a payment made to the church in honour of God.

     All of these taxes made the upper two classes and especially the king very wealthy. King Louis XVI spent most of his time in the palace of Versailles spending the people’s money. Instead of being responsible with the privileges entrusted to them, they spent their money extravagantly on property, parties, and lavish clothing and decorations.
    
     Because of all this taxation the peasants were becoming increasingly poorer and poorer. the peasants saw how the nobles and clergy were given tax exemptions and were accumulating wealth very quickly at the expense of the peasants. They soon were unable to meet their own needs let alone pay several taxes. Many peasants died as a result of a lack of money and because of a famine that swept across the country. The peasants struggled to grow food in the drought and any food that they did harvest was taken from them and given to the upper two classes. Desperation set in, as many of the peasants began to realise if something wasn't done they were going to die. This was a driving force behind the peasants revolting.
     After the revolution, the tax system was much more fair. Since there was no longer a hierarchy, everyone was treated the same, including how they were taxed.  The monarchy was disbanded resulting in less wasteful spending. The government was now accountable as to how they spent their money because of the democratic system that was in place. The end result was more financial freedom for the citizens of France.


The Peasants money was constantly being taken to fund the Kings frivolous spending.
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