Kristhy Bartels
Mrs. Ward
April 27, 2012
Period 1 Global Themes
In this paper I’ll explore the causes and results of the French and Russian revolutions and use this to predict the future of Greece. Greece’s enormous debt has driven the government to take harsh austerity measures, creating difficult economic times. The Greek people are frustrated with the current situation and feel that a change in the government is the only thing that will restore order and prosperity in the nation; a revolution is underway. Only 95 years earlier, Russia experienced a revolution of their own when unfair working conditions, separation between the rich and the poor, and distrust of the Czar stirred up Russia’s proletariat working class. Similarly, during the enlightenment era, France’s 3rd estate revolted against the old regime, angered by high taxation, and unequal representation in the government. Through a deeper understanding of these past revolutions and their significant events from the past, I will be able to determine the future of Greece.
Before France's revolution took place, the taxation system was quite unfair; the 3rd estate, consisting of the peasants and the working class payed all of the taxes, while the nobility and church did not have to pay any. The Greek government's approach to taxing is a bit different, in that their response to the current economic downturn was taxing all through increased VAT, value added tax, on goods. In 2005, the standard VAT rate for goods and services was 19%, and the VAT for common necessities such as drinks, food, transportation, and pharmaceutical products, was at a reduced rate of 9%. But after the government implemented it’s first round of austerity measures in 2009, the standard VAT rate increased to 23%, affecting products used for entertainment, and recreation. Yet the wealthy were highly agitated, claiming that the government was purposely trying to tax the wealthy by only increasing taxes on luxury items. In September, 2011, the VAT rate for common goods rose to 23% ("Value Added Tax Rates in Greece"). Nearly 200 years ago in France, King Louis did something similar; he increased the price of flour, inflating the cost of bread, a staple to the French diet. The new change made it even more difficult for France's lower class to get food on the table, and added to their frustrations. The unfair taxation, high unemployment, and inflation on vital products eventually caused the French people to revolt against the government and start a revolution. Now in Greece, the taxation doesn’t just affect the rich, but it also affects the middle and lower classes of society, making it harder to buy food and other basic items. The middle and lower classes argue that taxing those who cannot even find jobs does not seem fair; how can they possibly be trifled by the countries debt when they themselves cannot even put dinner on the table? Obviously France’s method of taxing only one group of people, and the worst off at that, did not work; it resulted in a complete uprising. But the Greek government is taxing all of it’s citizens. And maybe it will be enough; maybe it will be enough to prevent a revolution. If the government’s plan of equal taxation does reduce the country’s enormous debt and restore prosperity to the nation, then the people will be happy, have confidence in their government, and will no longer feel a desperation and desire for change.
France’s Bourgeoussie were the young, hard working folks, who had gotten a good education and were well prepared for intellectually demanding careers, such as medicine, law, teaching, etc. Yet France’s unprosperous state left many of the working class unemployed. Similarly, in Greece, their own economic crisis has increased the unemployment rate to 17%, and nearly 48% of people between the ages of 20-30 are currently out of work (CIA World Factbook). This means that practically half of Greece's youngest people, of the most well-educated generation yet, are not employed. The lower class of France was heavily impacted by the bad economy, with high unemployment and the inflation of common goods, the struggle to survive became even greater; it’s no surprise they were the first to demand change. But it wasn’t until France’s most educated and successful people began to lose their jobs, that the revolution began to unfold. The Bourgeoussie were being immensely impacted, and now had a reason to join their fellow revolutionaries; by combining the peasants determination and number with the Bourgeoussie’s level of organization, the revolution became more planned out, and became much more successful, eventually cracking the corrupt and fragile French Monarchy. It seems that without the Bourgeoussie, the French revolution would have never gained the power that it did. One citizen, Eleni Katsarea, says, "I have a degree, I speak several languages and I have something to offer the country but they don't let me, there are no opportunities". When she is not looking for work, Eleni Katsarea goes to the center of town to participate in the demonstrations taking place almost every day (BBC News, Chloe Hadjimatheou). Not only are Greek's youth well educated, they are also quite loyal to the revolution, and dedicate almost all of their time to strengthening it's impact on the government. I believe that the immense amount of young, smart, and devoted people will be the driving force to the revolution, and finally urge the government to listen to it's people and restore order and happiness in Greece.
On Sunday, January 22, 1905, Russia's proletariat working class peacefully marched to the Czar's winter palace to ask for better working conditions, consistent pay, and more civil freedoms in the Worker's Petition. But when the people arrived at the palace, one of the Czar's Generals ordered the troops to fire into the crowd, and at least 96 people were killed, and many were injured. Fast forward 100 years later to the night of December 8, 2008, when Alexander Grigoropoulos was killed; the teenager and his friends had begun to clash with two police guards, and one of the officers shot Alexander. The guard was arrested, but that was not enough to alleviate the grieving and infuriated Greek people. Thousands of people marched in Athens, and nearby cities, expressing their anger towards the government by vandalizing city statues and monuments, ran-sacking banks and businesses, setting cars afire, and partook in other forms of rioting. The fact that the government responded by sending out guards to control the people, using tear gas, only increased the revolutionaries resistance towards the government even more. For many Greeks, the death of Alexander, by a figure of authority, symbolized a corrupt, unjust, and unpredictable government. Similarly, Bloody Sunday caused nation-wide outrage, and many blamed the death of the civilians on the Czar. The event made people feel that much stronger about their desires for change, and increased support for the revolution. Twelve years later the revolution finally took place; the people came together to riot in the streets and the Czar stepped down from power. I think that eventually Greece’s own revolution will take place, after experiencing a catyltic event similar to Bloody Sunday. One Greek student, Yiannis Yiapitsakis, said that, "These protests are our answer to a government that always closes the doors in our face," (Helena Smith). The people’s frustrations started with unwanted educational reforms, corruption in the government, inflation on goods, and horrible economic conditions. But Alexander’s death has heightened the anger and distrust towards the government, and the people are more determined than ever, to pressure the government to listen. The tension in Greece is increasing with celerity, with more violence and frequency that ever before. Every year on the anniversary of Alexander's death, the people march through the cities in memory of the boy, and to remember what they're fighting for; he has become a martyr for the revolution, a source of inspiration and hope, that one day change will come.
The French revolution was caused by unfair taxation and representation, inflation on common goods, and a dedicated group of citizens, who were willing to speak up for what the wanted most. The Bourgeoussie demanded change, and when the revolution finally took place, France was purified of some of it's previous unfair and unprosperous conditions. A single protest that turned into a Bloody end was the spark that strengthened the Russian Revolution. Twelve years after Bloody Sunday, the people came together to revolt, and were able to pressure the Czar to step down from power, ending Russia's monarch rule. By studying these events, and analyzing their affects on the past revolutions of France and Russia, I believe I am finally able to determine the possible places where the Greek Revolution may be five years from now. I believe that the death of a Greek boy will motivate the citizens to keep fighting, and Greece's young, educated, and most dedicated people will be the ones who truly push to propel the idea for change. But maybe the government's actions will produce results; maybe the equal taxation, though quite high, will be enough to financially balance out the country, and return the European nation it's once glorious state.
Works Cited
"Greece." CIA World Factbook. N.p., 12 Apr. 2012. Web. 29 Apr. 2012. <https://www.cia.gov/library/
publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gr.html>.
"Greek VAT." International VAT Services. N.p., 2012. Web. 27 Apr. 2012. <http://www.tmf-vat.com/
vat/greek-vat.html>.
Hadjimatheou, Chloe. "Wasted Talent: Greece's Young Unemployed Majority." BBC News. N.p., 2012. Web.
27 Apr. 2012. <http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17464528>.
Smith, Helen. "General Strike Brings Greece To a Halt As Riots Rage On." The Guardian. N.p., 2012.
Web. 26 Apr. 2012. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/11/greece>.
Mrs. Ward
April 27, 2012
Period 1 Global Themes
In this paper I’ll explore the causes and results of the French and Russian revolutions and use this to predict the future of Greece. Greece’s enormous debt has driven the government to take harsh austerity measures, creating difficult economic times. The Greek people are frustrated with the current situation and feel that a change in the government is the only thing that will restore order and prosperity in the nation; a revolution is underway. Only 95 years earlier, Russia experienced a revolution of their own when unfair working conditions, separation between the rich and the poor, and distrust of the Czar stirred up Russia’s proletariat working class. Similarly, during the enlightenment era, France’s 3rd estate revolted against the old regime, angered by high taxation, and unequal representation in the government. Through a deeper understanding of these past revolutions and their significant events from the past, I will be able to determine the future of Greece.
Before France's revolution took place, the taxation system was quite unfair; the 3rd estate, consisting of the peasants and the working class payed all of the taxes, while the nobility and church did not have to pay any. The Greek government's approach to taxing is a bit different, in that their response to the current economic downturn was taxing all through increased VAT, value added tax, on goods. In 2005, the standard VAT rate for goods and services was 19%, and the VAT for common necessities such as drinks, food, transportation, and pharmaceutical products, was at a reduced rate of 9%. But after the government implemented it’s first round of austerity measures in 2009, the standard VAT rate increased to 23%, affecting products used for entertainment, and recreation. Yet the wealthy were highly agitated, claiming that the government was purposely trying to tax the wealthy by only increasing taxes on luxury items. In September, 2011, the VAT rate for common goods rose to 23% ("Value Added Tax Rates in Greece"). Nearly 200 years ago in France, King Louis did something similar; he increased the price of flour, inflating the cost of bread, a staple to the French diet. The new change made it even more difficult for France's lower class to get food on the table, and added to their frustrations. The unfair taxation, high unemployment, and inflation on vital products eventually caused the French people to revolt against the government and start a revolution. Now in Greece, the taxation doesn’t just affect the rich, but it also affects the middle and lower classes of society, making it harder to buy food and other basic items. The middle and lower classes argue that taxing those who cannot even find jobs does not seem fair; how can they possibly be trifled by the countries debt when they themselves cannot even put dinner on the table? Obviously France’s method of taxing only one group of people, and the worst off at that, did not work; it resulted in a complete uprising. But the Greek government is taxing all of it’s citizens. And maybe it will be enough; maybe it will be enough to prevent a revolution. If the government’s plan of equal taxation does reduce the country’s enormous debt and restore prosperity to the nation, then the people will be happy, have confidence in their government, and will no longer feel a desperation and desire for change.
France’s Bourgeoussie were the young, hard working folks, who had gotten a good education and were well prepared for intellectually demanding careers, such as medicine, law, teaching, etc. Yet France’s unprosperous state left many of the working class unemployed. Similarly, in Greece, their own economic crisis has increased the unemployment rate to 17%, and nearly 48% of people between the ages of 20-30 are currently out of work (CIA World Factbook). This means that practically half of Greece's youngest people, of the most well-educated generation yet, are not employed. The lower class of France was heavily impacted by the bad economy, with high unemployment and the inflation of common goods, the struggle to survive became even greater; it’s no surprise they were the first to demand change. But it wasn’t until France’s most educated and successful people began to lose their jobs, that the revolution began to unfold. The Bourgeoussie were being immensely impacted, and now had a reason to join their fellow revolutionaries; by combining the peasants determination and number with the Bourgeoussie’s level of organization, the revolution became more planned out, and became much more successful, eventually cracking the corrupt and fragile French Monarchy. It seems that without the Bourgeoussie, the French revolution would have never gained the power that it did. One citizen, Eleni Katsarea, says, "I have a degree, I speak several languages and I have something to offer the country but they don't let me, there are no opportunities". When she is not looking for work, Eleni Katsarea goes to the center of town to participate in the demonstrations taking place almost every day (BBC News, Chloe Hadjimatheou). Not only are Greek's youth well educated, they are also quite loyal to the revolution, and dedicate almost all of their time to strengthening it's impact on the government. I believe that the immense amount of young, smart, and devoted people will be the driving force to the revolution, and finally urge the government to listen to it's people and restore order and happiness in Greece.
On Sunday, January 22, 1905, Russia's proletariat working class peacefully marched to the Czar's winter palace to ask for better working conditions, consistent pay, and more civil freedoms in the Worker's Petition. But when the people arrived at the palace, one of the Czar's Generals ordered the troops to fire into the crowd, and at least 96 people were killed, and many were injured. Fast forward 100 years later to the night of December 8, 2008, when Alexander Grigoropoulos was killed; the teenager and his friends had begun to clash with two police guards, and one of the officers shot Alexander. The guard was arrested, but that was not enough to alleviate the grieving and infuriated Greek people. Thousands of people marched in Athens, and nearby cities, expressing their anger towards the government by vandalizing city statues and monuments, ran-sacking banks and businesses, setting cars afire, and partook in other forms of rioting. The fact that the government responded by sending out guards to control the people, using tear gas, only increased the revolutionaries resistance towards the government even more. For many Greeks, the death of Alexander, by a figure of authority, symbolized a corrupt, unjust, and unpredictable government. Similarly, Bloody Sunday caused nation-wide outrage, and many blamed the death of the civilians on the Czar. The event made people feel that much stronger about their desires for change, and increased support for the revolution. Twelve years later the revolution finally took place; the people came together to riot in the streets and the Czar stepped down from power. I think that eventually Greece’s own revolution will take place, after experiencing a catyltic event similar to Bloody Sunday. One Greek student, Yiannis Yiapitsakis, said that, "These protests are our answer to a government that always closes the doors in our face," (Helena Smith). The people’s frustrations started with unwanted educational reforms, corruption in the government, inflation on goods, and horrible economic conditions. But Alexander’s death has heightened the anger and distrust towards the government, and the people are more determined than ever, to pressure the government to listen. The tension in Greece is increasing with celerity, with more violence and frequency that ever before. Every year on the anniversary of Alexander's death, the people march through the cities in memory of the boy, and to remember what they're fighting for; he has become a martyr for the revolution, a source of inspiration and hope, that one day change will come.
The French revolution was caused by unfair taxation and representation, inflation on common goods, and a dedicated group of citizens, who were willing to speak up for what the wanted most. The Bourgeoussie demanded change, and when the revolution finally took place, France was purified of some of it's previous unfair and unprosperous conditions. A single protest that turned into a Bloody end was the spark that strengthened the Russian Revolution. Twelve years after Bloody Sunday, the people came together to revolt, and were able to pressure the Czar to step down from power, ending Russia's monarch rule. By studying these events, and analyzing their affects on the past revolutions of France and Russia, I believe I am finally able to determine the possible places where the Greek Revolution may be five years from now. I believe that the death of a Greek boy will motivate the citizens to keep fighting, and Greece's young, educated, and most dedicated people will be the ones who truly push to propel the idea for change. But maybe the government's actions will produce results; maybe the equal taxation, though quite high, will be enough to financially balance out the country, and return the European nation it's once glorious state.
Works Cited
"Greece." CIA World Factbook. N.p., 12 Apr. 2012. Web. 29 Apr. 2012. <https://www.cia.gov/library/
publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gr.html>.
"Greek VAT." International VAT Services. N.p., 2012. Web. 27 Apr. 2012. <http://www.tmf-vat.com/
vat/greek-vat.html>.
Hadjimatheou, Chloe. "Wasted Talent: Greece's Young Unemployed Majority." BBC News. N.p., 2012. Web.
27 Apr. 2012. <http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17464528>.
Smith, Helen. "General Strike Brings Greece To a Halt As Riots Rage On." The Guardian. N.p., 2012.
Web. 26 Apr. 2012. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/11/greece>.