Final answer:
The French Revolution's economic causes included a financial crisis due to extravagant royal spending and the cost of war, poor harvests causing famine, and a rising middle class influenced by Enlightenment ideals seeking political power.
Step-by-step explanation:
The economic causes of the French Revolution were profound and pivotal to the uprising that changed the course of French history. One key factor was the financial crisis that crippled the French Crown after supporting the American Revolutionary War and the king's extravagant spending habits. Poor harvests plagued the populace, leading to widespread hunger and a deep resentment towards the monarchy's failure to effectively address the crisis.
The traditional aristocracy was also averse to any change that threatened their privileges, including resistance to land tax reforms proposed by the Crown. Adding to the turmoil, the burgeoning middle class, emboldened by Enlightenment ideas, sought a role in political life and the establishment of rights and liberties. These economic pressures, combined with social stratification and cultural shifts towards liberal ideas, set the stage for revolution.