Is it fair to blame Louis XVI for the government’s failure to deal with the financial crisis of the 1770s and 1780’s?
As with any revolution they are never mono-causal, and cannot be blamed on one person or thing. There are always many reasons for the revolt, strikes and demonstrations throughout the whole country. The financial crisis tipped France into revolution. However the crisis cannot be fully blamed on Louis.
Some historians would believe that he was to blame. One reason is that his personality was not the perfect “king” material. This was because he was not the sharpest person around. He was very indecisive which is very bad for a leader. He did not make the correct changes to his way of leading to help the country through the crisis. He was a very weak man. He was easily bent; the other rival ministers took advantage of his weakness and forced Louis to dismiss Turgot.