The conditions that led to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France were a mix-up of social, economic, political and intellectual circumstances.
These are mentioned below –
Social Inequality,
Subsistence Crisis,
Economic Problems,
Strong Middle Class,
Immediate Causes.
Final Answer:
The situations that led to the outbreak of revolution in France were:
French society during the 18th century was divided into three estates namely- The Clergy, The Nobility, and the Third estate which comprised peasants, officials, businessmen, etc. It was the only third estate that paid taxes. The Clergy and nobility had the privilege and were exempted from taxes.
The population of France also increased rapidly from 23 million in 1715 to 28 million in 1789. Now there was a great demand for food grains. Prices of bread shot up and wages did not keep pace with rising prices which led to a subsistence crisis.
Long years of war drained the treasury of France. France was in a debt of more than 2 billion livres. Even to meet the normal expenses, like maintaining an army, the court, and running government offices or universities, the government was facing a crisis and was forced to increase taxes.
The middle class was educated and prosperous during the 18th century; it believed that no group in society should be given privileges by birth. Ideas like equality and freedom were put forward in society by philosophers. These ideas were discussed highly in salons and coffee houses and widely spread among people.
Louis XVI called together an assembly of Estates Genera on 5 may, 1789, to pass the proposal for new taxes. The Third estate protested against it but the king rejected this appeal and a result they walked out of the Estates General to form the National Assembly.
