To what extent did the actions and policies of Louis XVI cause the outbreak, and affect the course of the French revolution until 1793?

Authors Avatar

To what extent did the actions and policies of Louis XVI

cause the outbreak, and effect the course of the French

revolution until 1793?

        In the year 1789, the situation in France was dire. The economy crisis, created by the king’s decision to aid the Americans in their war of independence had lead to extremely high bread prices and unreasonable taxes for the third estate, which revealed the great inequality of the estates. Furthermore, the failure of reforms, ideas of enlightenment and the influence of the American war of independence had sparked ideas of change in the minds of the people. In order to solve the problems in France, Louis XVI summoned the States-General, but his stubborn decision to keep the ancient rule of voting by estates angered the third-estate, resulting in the defiance of the king and the third-estate renaming themselves to the National assembly.

Join now!

                France was declared bankrupt before the revolution in 1788, due to the involvement in both the seven year war and the American war of independence. After the unsuccessful seven year war, France lost a number of it’s colonies and was left with very heavy debts, which they struggled to repay for the remainder of the 18th century. The involvement in the American war of independence was seen as a way to humiliate France’s long-standing enemy, Great Britain. Louis XVI was convinced by Benjamin Franklin to send financial aid and large quantities ...

This is a preview of the whole essay