What led to the emergence of the middle class in the 18th century Why did this class envisage an - Social Science - The French Revolution

Question

What led to the emergence of the middle class in the 18th?century?
Why did this class envisage an end to privileges?

Akankshya Mishra · Accepted Answer

Dear Student,

The emergence of the middle class in the 18th century was due
to the Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution created a
class of industrialists and professionals who worked in the new
industries like cotton textile, railways etc Another reason was the
increased trade of European countries with other parts of the world
Many people became rich through this trade and became a part of the
middle class
The third estate included professions such as lawyers or
administrative officials All of these were educated and believed
that no group in society should be privileged by birth Rather, a
person’s social position must depend on his merit These ideas
envisaging a society based on freedom and equal laws and
opportunities for all, were put forward by philosophers such as
John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau In his Two Treatises of
Government, Locke sought to refute the doctrine of the divine and
absolute right of the monarch
The ideas of these philosophers were discussed intensively in
salons and coffee-houses and spread among people through books and
newspapers These were frequently read aloud in groups for the
benefit of those who could not read and write The news that Louis
XVI planned to impose further taxes to be able to meet the expenses
of the state generated anger and protest against the system of
privileges Hence, the growing middle class spearheaded the French
revolution which ended in the abolition of monarchy
Regards

What led to the emergence of the middle class in the 18th?century? Why did this class envisage an end to privileges?