-Social and economic inequality: The French society was deeply divided, with the clergy and the aristocracy enjoying privileges while the common people lived in poverty.
-Financial crisis: The French government was in debt, largely due to the king's extravagant spending and the cost of wars. This led to high taxes and economic hardships for the common people.
-Enlightenment ideas: The Enlightenment was a philosophical movement that promoted reason, science, and individual liberty. These ideas challenged traditional practices and institutions and inspired people to question the absolute power of the monarchy.
-The American Revolution: The success of the American Revolution in 1783, in which the American colonies gained independence from Britain, inspired the French people to desire more political rights.
-Weak leadership: King Louis XVI was a weak and indecisive ruler, who failed to address the pressing issues facing the country and did not provide the leadership needed during a time of crisis.
-The Estates-General and Tennis Court Oath: The summoning of the Estates-General, a representative body of the three estates of the realm, created hope for political reforms. However, when the Third Estate, representing the common people, was marginalized, its members took an oath in the Tennis Court to form the National Assembly, vowing to create a new constitution.
These factors collectively led to widespread dissatisfaction and unrest among the French population, culminating in the French Revolution in 1789.