The French Revolution that took place in France in 1789 had principally four main causes:

1) Highly divided, discriminatory and exploitative society : The French society of the 18th century was essentially divided into three main classes, called the Estates. The first estate was that of the Clergy (church); the second estate was of the Nobles (the King and the executives or the courtiers) and the third or the lower most estate was that of the traders, peasants etc. The third estate Comprised of 90% of the population but owned only 40% percent of the nation's land while the clergy and the nobles accounted for barely 10% of the population but owned 60% of the country's land. The third estate also had to pay two types of taxes to the nobles and the clergy, called Tithe and Taille in addition to performing manorial duties. That is, they had to work on the fields and farmlands of the nobles and the clergy, while also serving in the army.

2) Subsistence Crisis : The subsistence crisis refers to the situation in 18th century France when bulk of The population of France found it difficult to survive or sustain or feed themselves. The subsistence crisis in turn occurred because of frequent bad weather, outdated agricultural practices, payments of heavy taxes by the third estate. All of together reduced the total quantity of grains available for the third state, in turn leading to rise in prices of grains or inflation, thus fuelling food riots, epidemics and deaths.

3) Rise of the Middle Class : The third most important reason for the French Revolution was the rise of the learned middle class. This class comprised of people from the 3rd estate who acquired education, and tried to apprise the general public about discrimination and atrocities being faced by them. They wrote books published pamphlets, articles, held discussions, organized plays, published newspapers to arouse the general public. They were inspired by the democratic form of government in the United States after the US war of Independence.

4) Decision by the King for the imposition of Extra Taxes on the third estate: King Louis XI had helped the United States of America in its war of Independence from Britain by funding the independence movement as it wanted to grind its axe against Britain. However this funding led to massive losses to the French National Exchequer, forcing the king to impose an additional round of taxes on the 3rd estate. This infuriated and ignited the third estate against the King and the entire system of taxation.