What were the main causes of …

<font face="Arial">Causes of French revolution:</font>

Political conflict: conflict between the Monarchy and the nobility over the “reform” of the tax system led to paralysis and bankruptcy.

The Enlightenment: impulse for reform intensifies political conflicts; reinforces traditional aristocratic constitutionalism, one variant of which was laid out in Montequieu’s <i>Spirit of the Laws</i>; introduces new notions of good government, the most radical being popular sovereignty, as in Rousseau’s <i>Social Contract </i>[1762]; the attack on the regime and privileged class by the Literary Underground of “Grub Street;” the broadening influence of public opinion.

Social antagonisms between two rising groups: the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie

 Ineffective ruler: Louis XVI

Economic hardship, especially the agrarian crisis of 1788-89 generates popular discontent and disorders caused by food shortages.