Why was the French government bankrupt in 1789?

Answer 1

By 1788, the French monarchy had to face the dire consequences of the previous king's costs of wars and extravagances. Louis XVI began his regime in 1774 and inherited a large amount of debt. Used to the infallibility of European monarchies, his attempts to fix France's economy only made the situation worse. Instead of focusing on reforms at home Louis XVI gave serious amounts of funds to aid the American Revolution. He also maintained a lavish royal court at Versailles and refused to properly tax the wealthy classes. Based on this and other factors the French treasury was basically bankrupt. Admitting his failure to bring France's economy to a state of manageable vitality, he summoned the long forgotten Estates General. These were basically nobles who wanted to hold onto their wealth.

By 1789, France could not feed all of its people and the beginnings of a revolution were sown.

Answer 2

the french government went bankrupt after the war