The circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France were:

Social Inequality: French society in the eighteenth century was divided into three estates namely The Clergy, The nobility and third estates which comprise peasants, officials and small business. It was only third estates that pay taxes. Clergy and nobility were exempt from taxes.

Subsistence Crisis: The population of France also increased from 23 million in 1715 to 28 million in 1789. Food grains were now in great demand. Price of bread shot up. Wages did not keep pace with rising prices. This led to subsistence crisis.

Economic Problems: Long years of war had drained the financial resources of France. France had a debt of more than 2 billion livres. To meet its regular expenses, such as the cost of maintaining an army, the court, running government offices or universities, the state was forced to increase taxes.

Strong Middle Class: The middle class emerged educated and wealthy during the eighteenth century. They believed that no group in society should be given privileges by birth. Ideas of equality and freedom were put forward by philosophers. The ideas of these philosophers were discussed intensively in salons and coffee houses and spread among people.

Immediate Causes: On 5 may, 1789, Louis XVI called together an assembly of Estates General to pass proposals for new taxes. Third estates protested against this proposal but as each estate have one vote, the king rejected this appeal. They walked out of the assembly.

Causes of the French Revolution

The French Revolution, which occurred between 1789 and 1799, was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France. It was triggered by a variety of factors, both long-term and immediate, that led to widespread discontent among the French population. Some of the key causes of the French Revolution are:

Social Inequality
- The French society was divided into three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners. The first two estates enjoyed numerous privileges and exemptions from taxes, while the third estate, which comprised the majority of the population, bore the burden of heavy taxes.
- The commoners, who were mainly peasants and urban workers, resented the inequality and unfair treatment they faced. They were subjected to feudal dues, high bread prices, and poor living conditions, while the upper classes lived lavishly.

Economic Crisis
- France was facing a severe economic crisis during the late 18th century. The country was burdened with a large national debt, partly due to costly wars and the extravagant lifestyle of the monarchy.
- The high taxes imposed on the third estate exacerbated their economic hardship. The rising cost of living, coupled with stagnant wages, led to widespread poverty and hunger among the commoners.

Influence of Enlightenment Ideas
- The Enlightenment, an intellectual movement that emphasized reason, liberty, and equality, had a significant impact on the French society. Enlightenment thinkers such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu criticized the existing social and political system and advocated for individual rights and representative government.
- These ideas spread among the educated middle class, known as the bourgeoisie, who became increasingly dissatisfied with the monarchy and sought greater political participation.

Weak Leadership and Financial Mismanagement
- King Louis XVI, who ascended to the throne in 1774, was a weak and indecisive ruler. He failed to address the economic crisis and ignored calls for political reform. His extravagant spending, including the construction of the lavish Palace of Versailles, further strained the country's finances.
- The monarchy's financial mismanagement, coupled with the refusal of the nobility and clergy to pay taxes, led to a deepening fiscal crisis and growing public anger.

Influence of the American Revolution
- The success of the American Revolution against British colonial rule inspired the French population and ignited a desire for freedom and independence. The French saw the American struggle for liberty as a model for their own fight against oppression and inequality.
- The ideas of the American Revolution, such as the concept of popular sovereignty and the right to rebel against unjust rulers, influenced the French revolutionaries and provided a basis for their demands for political change.

Conclusion
The French Revolution was a result of complex and interconnected factors, including social inequality, economic crisis, Enlightenment ideas, weak leadership, and the influence of the American Revolution. These causes created a volatile atmosphere in France, leading to a popular uprising that ultimately overthrew the monarchy and brought about significant social and political changes.