The Revolution was the result of multiple long-term and short-term factors that culminated in a social,
economic, financial and political crisis in the late 1780s.[3][4][5] Combined with resistance to reform by
the ruling elite, and indecisive policy by Louis XVI and his ministers, the state was unable to manage
the crisis.[6][7]
Between 1715 and 1789, the French population grew from an estimated 21 to 28 million. [8] The
proportion of the population living in towns increased to 20%, and Paris alone had over 600,000
inhabitants.[8] Peasants comprised about 80% of the population, but the middle classes tripled over the
century, reaching almost 10% of the population by 1789.[9] Although the 18th century was a period of
increasing prosperity, the benefits were distributed unevenly across regions and social groups. Those
whose income derived from agriculture, rents, interest and trade in goods from France's slave colonies
benefited most, while the living standards of wage labourers and farmers on rented land fell. [10]
[11] Increasing inequality led to more social conflict.[12] Economic recession from 1785 and bad
harvests in 1787 and 1788 led to high unemployment and food prices which coincided with a financial
and political crisis for the monarchy.[3][13][14][15]
While the state also experienced a debt crisis, the level of debt itself was not high compared with
Britain's.[16] A major problem was that tax rates varied widely from one region to another, were often
different from the official amounts, and collected inconsistently. Its complexity meant uncertainty over
the amount any authorised tax actually contributed, and caused resentment among all taxpayers. [17]
[b] Attempts to simplify the system were blocked by the regional Parlements which approved financial
policy. The resulting impasse led to the calling of the Estates-General, which became radicalised by the
struggle for control of public finances.[19]
Louis XVI was willing to consider reforms, but often backed down when faced with opposition from
conservative elements within the nobility. Enlightenment critiques of social institutions were widely
discussed among the educated French elite, while the American Revolution and the European revolts
of the 1780s inspired public debate on issues such as patriotism, liberty, equality and the participation
of the people in making laws. These debates helped shape the response of the educated public to the
crisis facing the state.[20] A series of public scandals such as the Diamond Necklace Affair also fuelled
popular anger at the court, nobility and church officials.[21]
