* Economic inequality: France was a highly unequal society, with the wealthy elites enjoying great privileges while the majority of the population lived in poverty.
* Political oppression: The French monarchy was absolute, and the king had unlimited power. The people had no say in the government and were subjected to arbitrary arrests, imprisonment, and taxation.
* Social unrest: The French population was growing rapidly, and there was a shortage of jobs and food. This led to widespread poverty, crime, and unrest.
* Enlightenment ideas: The Enlightenment was a philosophical movement that promoted reason, science, and individual liberty. These ideas spread throughout France and challenged the traditional order of society.
The immediate trigger of the French Revolution was the financial crisis of 1789. The French government was deeply in debt, and it was unable to raise taxes to pay its debts. This led to a widespread panic and a run on the banks. In response, the king called for a meeting of the Estates-General, a representative body of the French people.
The Estates-General met in May of 1789, but it was unable to resolve the financial crisis. The Third Estate, representing the common people, demanded more power, and the king refused to give it. On July 14, 1789, a mob of Parisians stormed the Bastille prison, which symbolized royal oppression. This event marked the beginning of the French Revolution.
The French Revolution was a long and bloody struggle, but it ultimately resulted in the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic. The revolution had a profound impact on France and the rest of Europe, and it helped to spread the ideals of liberty and equality around the world.