The government was funding for massive wars that were very costly to the economey, Taxes were being raised, and poor harvests resulted in not enough food to last and inflation occured. This was a result from the innefective leadership from LOUIS XV and LOUIS XVI. By far the Most important thing that drove citizens mad was that as they were struggling dearly and the french monarchs were living lavish lifestyles and really didn't care all that much about the citizens. This lead to violence against the government because they sat back and just watched everything unfold.