Describe the circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France?

Question: Describe the circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France?

The French Revolution was a revolutionary movement that shook France between 1787 and 1799 and reached its first climax in 1789. It was caused by a combination of social, economic, political and cultural factors that challenged the old order of society. The main causes of the French Revolution were:

- The social structure of the West, which divided the population into three estates: the clergy, the nobility and the commoners. The first two estates enjoyed privileges and exemptions from taxes, while the third estate bore the burden of taxation and had no political representation.

- The influence of the Enlightenment, which spread new ideas of liberty, equality and democracy among the educated classes and challenged the authority of the monarchy and the church.

- The financial crisis that France faced under Louis XVI, who inherited a large debt from his predecessors and spent lavishly on wars and court life. The government was unable to raise enough revenue to pay its creditors and had to resort to loans and unpopular taxes.

- The weather conditions before 1789, which caused poor harvests and food shortages. The high prices of bread and other staples provoked discontent and riots among the urban and rural poor.

These causes led to a series of events that culminated in the overthrow of the monarchy, the establishment of a republic, the execution of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, and the Reign of Terror.