Final answer:
The French Revolution was sparked by the fiscal mismanagement of the French monarchy, social inequality, and Enlightenment ideologies. An economic crisis and disenfranchisement of the middle and lower classes led to the summoning of the Estates-General and the rise of the National Assembly, culminating in revolutionary acts against the monarchy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Causes of the French Revolution
The core cause identified in the student's question is the fiscal mismanagement by the French monarchy. After not convening the Estates-General since 1614, King Louis XVI was forced to call this legislative body in 1789 due to enormous debt accrued from the Seven Years War and aid given to the American Revolution. Over the years, the monarchy increased taxes and borrowed money, while those who bought noble titles gained exemption from future taxes, further straining the financial system. This economic crisis coincided with poor harvests, which pushed peasants and the urban poor closer to starvation, sparking widespread unrest.
The Estates-General had not met since 1614 and was seen as an opportunity to challenge the king’s absolute authority and address the pressing financial problems. However, the proposed tax reforms faced resistance from the privileged classes, and the growing middle class demanded political representation and rights. Inspired by the Enlightenment, the Third Estate declared themselves the National Assembly to act in the people’s interest, leading to power struggles and the storming of the Bastille—a symbolic act against tyranny.
Ultimately, the taxation issues, social inequality, Enlightenment ideologies, and the consequential revolutionary acts contributed significantly to the dismantling of the absolute monarchy and the rise of a constitutional monarchy acknowledging citizens' rights.