Libertie, Egalitie, Fraternitie!

Causes of the French Revolution

1) Inherited Debt • Louis’ Grandfather, Louis XV, had ran up huge debt before he died, in the Seven Years War with the English (French and Indian War). France was broke when Louis XVI became king.

2) Court Life was expensive.

• Versailles cost a lot of money. Keeping all those people living there happily cost beaucoup jing.

3) Marie Antoinette.

• She was nicknamed “Madame Deficit” by the French people. She was very high maintenance.

4) Worst drought in years.

• Caused starvation… the French people depended on bread for their livelihood.

5) Overpopulation • France had grown six million people in 100 years …more mouths to feed, no more food to put in those mouths.

6) The American Revolution • Louis helped us become a country…and cost him his country in the process.

What happens?

• REVOLUTION!