- Financial Crisis: France was facing a severe financial crisis due to extravagant spending by the monarchy and the cost of wars. The common people were burdened with heavy taxes, while the nobles and clergy were exempt.
- Social Inequality: The French society was divided into three estates - the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners. The first two estates enjoyed privileges and wealth, while the commoners faced poverty and oppression.
- Influence of Enlightenment Ideas: The Enlightenment thinkers propagated ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity, which influenced the common people to question the existing social and political structures.
- Inefficient Monarchy: The absolute monarchy under Louis XVI was seen as incompetent and unresponsive to the needs of the people. The king's indecisiveness and inability to address the grievances of the people further fueled the discontent.
- Famine and Unemployment: Poor harvests led to food shortages and rising prices, causing widespread hunger and poverty. Unemployment was also rampant, adding to the frustration of the common people.
- Call for Reform: Intellectuals, journalists, and members of the bourgeoisie called for political and social reforms to address the grievances of the common people and to curb the power of the monarchy and nobility.
- Meeting of the Estates-General: In 1789, Louis XVI convened the Estates-General to address the financial crisis. The Third Estate, representing the commoners, broke away and declared itself the National Assembly, signaling the beginning of the French Revolution.