Final answer:
A key cause of the French Revolution was the spread of Enlightenment ideas, which advocated for liberty, equality, and the right to alter governments. These radical ideas challenged the absolute monarchy and laid the intellectual foundation for political and social reform, leading to the Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
One significant cause of the French Revolution that highlights the role of ideas was the influence of the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment was a philosophical movement that promoted ideas such as liberty, equality, and fraternity. Philosophers like John Locke argued for natural rights and the idea that people should have the power to change their government if it does not serve their needs. French thinkers like Baron de Montesquieu advocated for a constitutional monarchy with a separation of powers, which directly challenged the authority of the absolute monarchy.
Inspired by the success of the American Revolution, which was also fueled by Enlightenment ideals, French citizens began to question the legitimacy of the French monarchy's power. This intellectual awakening contributed to a broader demand for political and social reform. When this was combined with the dire economic situation and the widespread discontent among the different estates, it set the stage for the outbreak of revolution in 1789.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man, an early revolutionary document, reflects the influence of Enlightenment thinking, encapsulating the desires of the people to limit the king's power and establish fundamental freedoms and rights for French citizens.