1. In 1774, Louis XVI of the Bourbon family of kings ascended the throne of
France. Upon his accession, the new king found an empty treasury.
2. Long years of war had drained the financial resources of France.
3. Added to this, the cost of maintaining the immense palace of Versailles was
also huge.
4. France also had to pay back the loans which they had taken during American
War of Independence to help the colonies to fight against the common enemy
Britain.
5. To meet its regular expenses the French government was forced to borrow
money from lenders who charged more interest and thus the government had
to spend an increasing percentage of its budget on interest payments alone.
6. To meet its regular expenses, army, the court, government offices and
universities expenses, the state was forced to increase taxes but the burden of
taxation fell on the shoulders of the thirsd estate.
what question can we frame for this answer.