- Social Inequality: The French society was deeply divided along class lines. The privileges of the nobility and the clergy put them above the common people. The nobility enjoyed tax exemptions and held most of the positions of power and influence in government and the military.
- Economic Problems: France was facing severe financial difficulties due to excessive spending on wars and lavish lifestyles of the royal court. The kingdom's debt was enormous, and the government resorted to heavy taxation of the common people, increasing their economic burden and poverty.
- Ineffective Government: The decision-making process in France was highly inefficient and centralized. The king held absolute power, and there were no mechanisms for consultation or representation of the people. This led to a lack of accountability and transparency, fostering resentment among the population.
- Growth of Enlightenment Ideas: The spread of Enlightenment philosophy, which emphasized reason, individual rights, and the pursuit of happiness, challenged the established social and political order in France. Enlightened thinkers like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu advocated for liberty and equality, which inspired many to question the privileges and power of the monarchy and the aristocracy.
- Influence of the American and French Revolutions: The American Revolution and its principles of life, liberty, and democracy sparked a desire for change among the French people. Similarly, early successes of the French Revolution fueled the spirit of rebellion as common people sought the end of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic based on the ideals of liberté, égalité, and fraternité (liberty, equality, and brotherhood).
These factors combined to create an atmosphere of discontent and frustration among the general population, setting the stage for the eventual overthrow of the old regime in France.