History of Europe

What were the reasons for French revolt of 1358?

The Jacquerie

The French revolt of 1358, also known as the Jacquerie, was a peasant uprising that took place in northern France. The revolt was sparked by a number of factors, including:

* Economic hardship: The Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) had devastated the French countryside, leaving many peasants in poverty.

* Political grievances: The French monarchy had become increasingly oppressive in the years leading up to the revolt. Peasants were subject to heavy taxes and were often forced to work on the land of their lords without pay.

* Social tensions: There was a growing resentment of the nobility among the peasantry. The nobles were seen as living in luxury while the peasants struggled to survive.

The Jacquerie began in May 1358 when a group of peasants attacked a noble's castle in the Beauvais region. The revolt quickly spread to other parts of northern France. The peasants burned castles, killed nobles, and looted their estates.

The French monarchy responded to the revolt by sending an army to put down the uprising. The army was successful in defeating the peasants, and the revolt was over by July 1358. However, the Jacquerie had a lasting impact on French society. It showed the monarchy that the peasants were no longer willing to tolerate oppression, and it helped to pave the way for the French Revolution in 1789.