What where some causes of the French Revolution?

Question

causes as in
1.Social problems
2.Economic Problems
3.Weak leadership
thank you

Answer 1

The main cause of the French Revolution was the abuse of the Old Regime, the social and governmental system in France during the 18th century.

Political: Absolute Monarch, Inefficient and unfair government
Lack of people's voice in government

Social: Social Classes, First & Second estates were wealthy
Third estate was underprivelaged, First and Second estates had special treatment

Economic: Third estate payed all taxes, King gave money to help in American Revolution

Just for reference: The French people were divided into three social classes. The first two being of higher importance and coming with special benefits. The first and highest was known as the First Estate. These people consisted of the clergy, and even the poor priests were considered members of the First Estate. The second was known as the Second Estate, or the nobles. Together the first and second estates made up only three percent of the population. This left the most populous, but most underprivelaged, the Third Estate, or commoners. This estate was made up of the bourgeoisie (merchants, bankers, manufactors, and other professionals), city workers, and the peasants.

Answer 2

I strongly believe that the catalyst was economic problems primarily brought about by France's financial backing of the American Revolution. As a result, the treasury was bankrupted and almost no money was available to deal with food shortages in France caused by poor crop yields. This snow-balled to a host of other social problems that created a perfect environment for malcontent with the King. Also, don't forget that France was supporting another nation in its cessation from monarchy rule.....the irony to the situation must have been lost on the French because it created justification for overthrowing the monarchy amongst republican supporters.

I think weak leadership may have played a role in that the King was incapable of standing up to his advisors when pushed to spend even more on the American war.

Answer 3

I believe you covered the three main categories: social problems, economic problems and weak leadership.

At the very beginning of the industrial revolution, farms and subsistence economy began to fail because so many young people left the countryside to seek their fortunes in cities. King Louis XVI (that's the sixteenth), was the heir to a formerly strong and effective monarchy but not particularly strong or intelligent himself. Feudal society where the nobility ran things and the peasants stayed on the land began to give way to a different order. Burgeoning urban populations created their own problems: lack of food, sanitation, education and work. Also, recall that 1789 was a time when eveyone in Europe was agog that the powerful English army had been defeated by rebellious colonies in America and that the Marquis de Lafayette of France was a hero of the American Revolutionary War. The ideas of participatory government, protection of the rights of minorities, freedom of speech and assembly were new and exciting and very attractive to disaffected elements in European society.