Final answer:
The failure of the French monarchy to address the over-taxation and underrepresentation of the Third Estate, coupled with an economic crisis and Enlightenment ideals, were significant causes of the French Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
One cause of the French Revolution was the failure of the monarchy to address the over-taxation and under-representation of the Third Estate. The Third Estate, comprising the overwhelming majority of the French population, faced heavy taxation yet had minimal political power. The economic crisis exacerbated by poor harvests, national debt from involvement in the American Revolutionary War, and the extravagant spending by the monarchy contributed to widespread discontent. This was further fueled by Enlightenment ideas championing liberty, equality, and fraternity, and the commoners' desire for a more equitable system that could prevent tyranny and recognize natural rights.
Upon calling the Estates-General in 1789, King Louis XVI hoped to resolve the financial crisis, but the Third Estate demanded more participation in governance. The denial of significant reform led to their self-appointment as the National Assembly, marking a step towards revolution. As economic conditions worsened, and political reforms stalled, the common people of France, inspired by Enlightenment ideals and desperate for change, increasingly supported the revolutionary movement, culminating in the pivotal storming of the Bastille.