Why was France on the brink of revolution by 1789?

Answer 1

The hierarchy of society that had been in place years was unfair. It meant that the king ruled everything, Clergy (First estate) and Nobility (second estate) came second and Bourgeoisie and Peasantry (third estate) came last. The third estate had to pay taxes that the first and second estate didn't. The first and second estate were also given many more privaliges based soley on their wealth and class.

Also, France was running out of money. King Louis and his family spent too much on luxuries that they didn't need. He also fought in wars that France did not win. The country was 4000 livres (the currency of France at the time) in debt.

The few years before 1789 there had been bad harvests. Almost the whole country was starving while the King was still living in luxury.

France helped America win Independence from Britain. Whilst they were fighting in America, the Americans inspired them. French soldiers realised that, like the Americans, they should fight for their rights and that it was time for a change in France.

America and Britain gave speeches and made posters and pamphlets and enlightened the French.

Finally, the King decided he needed to charge more taxes so he called a meeting. It was named the Estates general meeting. The third estate put together a list of demands for the King to make France a better place. The King wasn't happy about this so he summoned an army, which the third estate saw as an attempt to frighten them. They decided to form a group called the Peoples Government and some Clergy joined them. On the 20th June they met with the King but he had locked the doors and shut them out. They were angry so the went next door to the tennis courts and had a meeting there. And that was pretty much the start of the French Revolution.

Answer 2

The hierarchy of society that had been in place years was unfair. It meant that the king ruled everything, Clergy (First estate) and Nobility (second estate) came second and Bourgeoisie and Peasantry (third estate) came last. The third estate had to pay taxes that the first and second estate didn't. The first and second estate were also given many more privaliges based soley on their wealth and class.

Also, France was running out of money. King Louis and his family spent too much on luxuries that they didn't need. He also fought in wars that France did not win. The country was 4000 livres (the currency of France at the time) in debt.

The few years before 1789 there had been bad harvests. Almost the whole country was starving while the King was still living in luxury.

France helped America win Independence from Britain. Whilst they were fighting in America, the Americans inspired them. French soldiers realised that, like the Americans, they should fight for their rights and that it was time for a change in France.

America and Britain gave speeches and made posters and pamphlets and enlightened the French.

Finally, the King decided he needed to charge more taxes so he called a meeting. It was named the Estates general meeting. The third estate put together a list of demands for the King to make France a better place. The King wasn't happy about this so he summoned an army, which the third estate saw as an attempt to frighten them. They decided to form a group called the Peoples Government and some Clergy joined them. On the 20th June they met with the King but he had locked the doors and shut them out. They were angry so the went next door to the tennis courts and had a meeting there. And that was pretty much the start of the French Revolution.