ed the people. Bread riots were also common among the hungry poor. The continuous competition between social classes was another problem that led France toward a Revolution. The nobility wanted to regain their place in society, and the middleclass wanted political power along with their economic power. The peasants were bothered by the constant disrespect from the nobility and other groups. They were annoyed because everything that they had and earned went to their noble landowners. The higher social classes were also very uneasy, because of the spread of the great fear, when hungry peasants wandered around killing citizens and destroying homes and businesses. Society was corrupt and dishonest. Even tax farmers who were people used by the French government to collect taxes stole from the income. The spread of the ideas of the philosophers also aided the peoples desire for reform. The philosophers criticized and mocked the traditional ideas and order of things. They attacked the most respected institutions and spread doubt everywhere. They questioned all of the established truths of the old age. Many of them also believed that democracy was better than tyrannical monarchy. In 1762, Voltaire declared that the popular government was more righteous and truthful than dictatorial government. In Rousseaus Social Contract, written in 1762, he stated that man must be forced to be free. All those who refused to obey the general will, had to be made to do so. Many people agreed with the ideas of Rousseau and Voltaire, and wanted to reshape France according to them. Even the nobility supported the ideas of the philosophers and read them with great interest.The unlawful conduct of King Louis XVI was the ultimate problem that led France toward a Revolution. Louis XVI granted special privileges, licenses and trades to specific individuals. He took away government positions from the middleclass and gave them to the nobility, who were regaining influenc...
