Final answer:
The French Revolution was caused by a combination of economic hardships, social inequalities, and the dissemination of Enlightenment ideas that favored democracy and equality over the prevailing autocratic monarchy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The vast and profound changes that led to the French Revolution were not due to a single factor but rather a complex combination of economic, political, and social pressures. These factors created a fertile ground for revolutionary ideas and actions.
A major economic crisis, prompted by poor harvests and the near-bankruptcy of the French state, struck particularly hard at the poorest in society, while a rigid and outdated social hierarchy suffocated the emerging middle class and kept political power in the hands of a few.
Additionally, the spread of Enlightenment ideas fostered a cultural environment that valued liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty, challenging the old monarchical order and demanding democratic reforms.