CAUSES OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

France, during the 1770s, was in its prime time of its reign when problems started to
arise. Lockes, Rousseaus, and Voltaires Enlightenment Ideas raised disturbing questions
that challenged the traditions of the French government. The Old Regime, the social and
political system of France during that time, created discontent among the Third Estate. And
because of this, Frances economic problems increased taxes. Sadly, because of the weak
leadership of Louis XVI, he did not help solve any of the problems that arose. These are the
causes of the start of the French Revolution.

The Old Regime was Frances social and political system in the 1770s. Under this system,
the French were divided into three large social classes called estates. The First Estate is made
up of the clergy of the Roman Catholic Church. The Second Estate was made up of rich
nobles who held the highest offices in the government and who disagreed to the
Enlightenment ideas. The last estate which is the Third Estate includes the bourgeoisie, or the
middle class, which were the bankers, factory owners, merchants, professionals, and skilled
artisans. Those who were placed in the Third Estate had no power to influence the French
Government. They gladly embraced Enlightenment ideas, and resented the wealthy First and
Second Estates. This was where the French Revolution originated.

By the time the 1780s rolled in, the Frenchs once prosperous economy began to decline.
From the outside view, it still looks like the French economy seemed to be intact. However,
heavy burden of taxes made it almost impossible to conduct business profitably within. Not
only that, the cost of living was rising sharply. And on top of that, the bad weather in the
1780s caused widespread crop failures, resulting in a severe shortage of grain. Thats when
the price of bread doubled in 1789. During the time of the 1770s and 1780s, the French
government sank into debt. The number one cause of this debt was the extravagant spending
of King Louis XVI and his queen, Marie Antoinette. Because of this, mild problems arose to
become major problems which then resulted in chaos.

If only France had strong leaders, these problems wouldve been solved in due time. But
sadly, they were granted with very weak leaders. Louis XVI was very indecisive that he
allowed matters to just drift past. He paid very little attention to his government advisers and
also had little patience for the details of governing. To top it off, Queen Marie Antoinette of
France just added to his problems by often interfering with the government and offered really
poor advice. Not only that, Marie Antoinette was of Austrian descent. And by this, it made
the people of France to dislike her even more since France and Austria go way back. Slowly
but surely, the thought of rebellion has germinated in the minds of Frances low castes.
These were the seeds that have implanted themselves in the hearts and minds of Frances
Third State. The challenging of the French traditions. The way the government runs its
course. Having very weak leadership, the French economy has started to deteriorate. These
were the core causes to the rise of the French Revolution.