**Introduction:**
The 18th century was a tumultuous period for France, marked by various economic crises that had a profound impact on the country. Several factors contributed to these economic crises, including excessive government spending, high taxes, a rigid social structure, and poor agricultural productivity.

**1. Excessive Government Spending:**
One of the main causes of the economic crisis in 18th century France was the excessive spending by the monarchy. France was engaged in numerous wars during this period, which required significant financial resources. The monarchy financed these wars by borrowing money, which led to a rapidly increasing national debt.

**2. High Taxes:**
To fund its extravagant spending, the government imposed heavy taxes on the common people. The burden of taxation fell disproportionately on the lower classes, including peasants and laborers. These high taxes further exacerbated the economic crisis, as they left the people with little disposable income to stimulate economic growth.

**3. Rigid Social Structure:**
France had a rigid social structure during the 18th century, with a clear division between the nobility, clergy, and commoners. The nobility and clergy were exempt from paying taxes, placing the burden of taxation solely on the commoners. This unequal distribution of tax contributed to the economic crisis, as the commoners struggled to bear the financial burden.

**4. Poor Agricultural Productivity:**
Agriculture was the backbone of the French economy during the 18th century. However, agricultural productivity was low due to outdated farming techniques, inefficient land distribution, and outdated feudal practices. Poor harvests and low agricultural output led to rising food prices, which further strained the economy and caused widespread hardship.

**5. Influence of Enlightenment Ideas:**
The Enlightenment, an intellectual movement that emphasized reason and individual rights, also played a role in the economic crisis in France. Enlightenment thinkers criticized the inefficiencies and injustices of the existing economic system, which further eroded public confidence in the monarchy and contributed to the growing discontent among the population.

**Conclusion:**
The economic crisis in 18th century France was a complex issue with multiple contributing factors. Excessive government spending, high taxes, a rigid social structure, poor agricultural productivity, and the influence of Enlightenment ideas all played a part in creating an economic environment that was unsustainable and ultimately led to the French Revolution. This period of economic crisis and social unrest laid the groundwork for significant political and social changes in France.

Rise in population lead to economic crises in france