Similarities between Causes of the French Revolution and Today

These signs can not be ignored any longer

Every time there is a huge shift in the way society is structured, there is a destruction of the old ways of life. The Crusades opened up Europe to the rich knowledge of the Middle East, but that was not without the battles destroying cities, trade routes and social hierarchies. The Enlightenment in Europe was born out of the separation of church and state but destroyed the feudalist system that Europe’s elite enjoyed for centuries. Now in the modern day we yet again see signs of a destruction coming to clear way for the New World coming in. The biggest similarities I can see with today are with the French Revolution.

Causes of the French Revolution

French livres were the currency used until the end of the French Revolution

The American Revolution had just happened and the French financed a huge amount of the war against the British Empire. The French gave 1.3 billion livres to the Americans which each are equal to a pound of silver, that amounts to 434.2 billion USD today. The spending on the American Revolutionary War and the crazy amount of spending that King Louis XVI of France on himself and nobles around him was crushing France’s hopes of not going bankrupt. This near bankruptcy was paired with huge increases in food prices as awful harvests and disease of cattle destroyed supply chains. The government was unforgiving on the working class as they pushed high taxes put on them to try to pay their debts. Taxes such as a land tax to the state (the taille), a property tax (the vingtième), tax on the number of people in a family (capitation) and further taxes to use mills, bakeries and wine presses. The Catholic Church had their own list of taxes on citizens as well. The way of life during this time was called feudalism where peasants had to work on the elites’ land in exchange for a home and protection. Notice the pattern here?

What the Reign of Terror looked like during the French Revolution

A meeting to discuss a financial reform proposal on May 5th 1789 that would tax the French elite’s land and they could not be exempt from it. With the potential for fairer lives in France in the air, rumors of a military coup to keep the elites in power grew all over the country. This rumor was met with rioters breaking into the Bastille fortress and stealing gunpowder and weapons. The country side was not safe either as peasants from all over killed, looted and burned down the homes of tax collectors, landlords and the noblemen/elites. Feudalism was formally abolished on August 4th 1789 destroying the old way of society in France. The Reign of Terror would happen later in 1793 where more than 17,000 people including King Louis XVI were executed by guillotine as enemies of the revolution. The revolution would later lead to the rise of Napoleon who went on to conquer most of Europe for France creating the first French Empire.

What is going on in today’s world?

In the US today prices increased by 5% compared to last year on goods in the Consumer Price Index. This means that 100$ last year can only buy as much as 95$ today. This comes after the chair of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell said many times in the last few months that the Fed won’t allow for inflation to go past 2% in large amounts. Well they have failed horribly because inflation is more than double their goal. This inflation has only the direction of up as more COVID restrictions around the world are loosened and vaccines are distributed to more people in the US and world. All this new money that exists in now in the world is to blame for inflation continuing to increase.

This is the increase of money in the US economy over the last 6 years

Meat and gas supply lines in the US have been hit by hackers in the last couple months. This supply chain mess up reduces supply causing prices to have to go up to compensate for the increased demand. The largest meat supplier JBS shut down all beef plants which stopped a quarter of all meat production in the US. Colonial Pipeline who supply half of all gas to the Eastern Coast of the US were hit with a hack that forced them to shutdown until they paid a ransom. Remember what ever that happens in the US economy is felt around the world as well. It doesn’t stop there as a global tax rate of 15% for global corporations is being considered by the 7 biggest economies in the world. As well as the US President pushing hard for increased taxes on capital gains and corporates tax rate in the US. The rich can afford to pay these but the middle and working class getting squeezed will either die or riot.

What about homeownership for American citizens? The average price for a single family home in America has gone up 15.2% in the last year. This is due partly because prices of wood and steel skyrocketing. As well because of hedge funds, pension funds, private equity and normal investors are buying up homes everywhere they can while the average American is being priced out. A housing shortage is well under way in the country.

The World Economical Form makes it clear they want the world to change when they have a plan called the Great Reset of Capitalism on their website. They have the nerve to talk about how wealth inequality has exploded since the pandemic or the unemployment rate is rocketing around the world or how world economies having shrinking growth. The real culprit to the widening divide between the rich and the poor are the countries around the world continuing to print away the value of their currencies which hurts the poor and benefits the rich. Unequal opportunities every where contribute to the pain of the common man and woman.

El Salvador’s President on Twitter talking about adopting Bitcoin as a currency

However when countries try to ready themselves for a bright new future they are met with foreign inquires/delays into their activities. The President of El Salvador sees where the future is heading and is trying to better his country through creating incentives to attract businesses and investments. But the International Monetary Fund sees “ legal, economic issues with El Salvador's bitcoin move ”. The despicableness of the worlds elites when it comes to countries going against the majority to create prosperity for their citizens. Very similar to a French government continuing to beat down the nation’s poorest while they live lavishly. I wonder what could be the next probable thing after such a beat down.

Preparing for the Breakdown of Society

Some advice for the coming struggles is to stock up on basic necessities like food and water and getting your hands on some weapons. Food that can last large amounts of time in cans, jars and bags that are easy to cook are the best bet. Water in clean glass or metal containers that can keep out bugs and bacteria are great. Weapons like guns that are light to carry and easy to maintain with plenty of ammo are the best ways to defend yourself and family. For more info on guns/defending yourself you can go on @BowTiedCaiman’s twitter as he has huge experience there. Canisters to hold gas for long periods of time and any generators are going to be huge in keeping the power on and the cars running. And finally you should probably have a plan of where to go if the fighting gets too serious and the only option is to leave home.

A trip through history for this post was very fun for a Titan’s mind.