Final answer:
The French Revolution was caused by an economic crisis, a desire for political reform influenced by Enlightenment ideals, and social upheaval stemming from famine and resistance to taxation. The crisis in France was exacerbated by the monarchy's lavish spending and an ill-advised tax system, along with the middle class's aspirations for greater political agency, all of which led to a revolutionary movement in 1789.
Step-by-step explanation:
Causes of the French Revolution
The French Revolution was the result of a confluence of factors and catalysts. A major cause was an economic crisis, fuelled by the opulent spending of King Louis XVI on the Palace of Versailles and France's financial aid to the American Revolutionaries. This lavish expenditure led to the accumulation of a massive national debt. Additionally, poor harvests in the 1770s brought about widespread famine amongst peasants and the urban poor, which sparked much unrest. Compounding these troubles, a land tax aimed at the aristocracy met with resistance from the social elite, who were unwilling to relinquish their fiscal immunities, while the burgeoning middle class, fueled by Enlightenment ideals, sought political representation and an end to the absolute monarchy. These socio-economic strains, paired with a desire for political reform, escalated tensions and led ultimately to the revolution of 1789.
The culmination of these factors coerced the French populace into action. Initially, demands were for a constitution that would limit the king's power, as exemplified by the Declaration of the Rights of Man. The situation, however, quickly devolved from a powerful outcry against monarchical abuse to a full-blown revolution. In the ensuing turmoil, further failures such as the attempted flight of the royal family and the rising influence of radical groups like the sans-culottes exacerbated the conflict, leading to periods of severe violence such as the Reign of Terror.