1. Long term causes
1.1. Government of the ancien Regime
1.1.1. Ancie regime used to refer to the way France was pre revolution
1.1.2. The peoples resentment-Many grew to resent the government as it was unjust and its rules
1.1.3. Lack of a strong monarch-King Louis XVI was seen as the header for the ancient regime but he did not have the correct political and social skills to lead in a dictatorial manner "neither a tyrant nor a statesman"
1.1.4. Inconsistency in tuning - In the way France was run in the ancient regime it was split into different generalities all of which had different officers and intendants this meant rules from place to place varied making people resent the leaders.
1.1.5. Infighting within higher powers- Officiers and intendants clashed so would each try to assert their dominance whilst the king allowed himself to be indoctrinated into electing ministers which his wife liked.
1.1.6. Self interest- Many high powers didn't work for the good of the people instead themselves as they were unsure how long they would keep their post.
1.2. The Three Estates
1.2.1. The separation - France was split into three estates; 1st ( members of the clergy ) , 2nd( and third estate
1.2.2. The unjust rules - Many people resented they way that your social standing effected your ability to gain and maintain wealth
1.2.3. The third estate made up 98 percent of French population. angering this many people was bound to use issues
1.3. Taxation
1.3.1. The calling for efficient tax collection- The first and second estates both had exemption from some taxes which made the third estate hate the tax system
1.3.2. New taxes- The introduction of new taxes by Louis XVI angered the people
1.3.3. The third estate had to pay disproportionally high taxes
1.4. Enlightenment ideas
1.4.1. Headed by Voltaire,Diderot, Rosseau and Montesquieu
1.4.2. Many like Lafayette had seen americas reform and the formation of the constitution and this gave them ideas that the people should have a say
1.4.3. The formation
2. The short term causes
2.1. War
2.1.1. 7 year war
2.1.1.1. 1756-63
2.1.1.2. French forces in india and north america suffered crushing defeats by the british
2.1.1.3. Overseas french territories lost
2.1.1.4. Cost 1.8 billion livres
2.1.2. American war of independence
2.1.2.1. In 1778 louis intervened on the side of the rebels providing military and financial support
2.1.2.2. This helped to defeat britain so satisfied the french need for revenge but did little to benefit the people of france
2.1.2.3. Cost 1.3 billion livres
2.1.2.4. People sae how the americans had gained liberty and overthrown a monarch and this encouraged revolutionary ideals
2.2. Deficits
2.2.1. In 1788 income was 503m livre but expenditure was 629 million
2.2.2. Interest payments on debt were half 50.5 % of government expenditure this was due to :War and Tax
2.2.3. That said in 1782 the percentage of tax revenue spent by britain to service its debt was 70 % and yet it was a stable country. Other factors therefore at work
2.3. Bad harvest
2.3.1. During the end of 1780s agricultural prosperity came to an end
2.3.2. In 1788 there was a particularly poor harvest which particularly affected peasantry
2.3.3. Before 50% of income went on bread but following bad harvest nearly 99%of income was spent on bread
2.3.4. The textile industry was badly hit and the industry fell by 50%
2.3.5. Wine was also low demand which decreased the income for many
2.4. Food shortages
2.4.1. Many people blamed tithe owners and landowners for making the situation worst
2.4.2. The politicisation of the third estate bagan mainly due to the economic crisis