Q1 France is living through a serious economic crisis.
First, there was an issue regarding the harvest in 1788. At the time, the weather situation did not help: it was very humid and many storms devastated the harvest in Normandy, Flanders and Champagne. The winter was also very difficult that year. This caused the wheat to fail and in turn raise bread prices for the Third Estate who were the majority of the population at the time. This was particularly hard on the poor who could not afford the bread to feed their families.
Second, there was an issue with the royal budget. In fact, the expenditures exceeded the revenue. For instance, in 1788 the kings revenue was 503 millions livres and he was spent 621 millions livres.
In other words, the King was spending more than he was collecting. Therefore, he also had to borrow money which also added to the debt of the country.
First, there was an issue regarding the harvest in 1788. At the time, the weather situation did not help: it was very humid and many storms devastated the harvest in Normandy, Flanders and Champagne. The winter was also very difficult that year. This caused the wheat to fail and in turn raise bread prices for the Third Estate who were the majority of the population at the time. This was particularly hard on the poor who could not afford the bread to feed their families.
Second, there was an issue with the royal budget. In fact, the expenditures exceeded the revenue. For instance, in 1788 the kings revenue was 503 millions livres and he was spent 621 millions livres.
In other words, the King was spending more than he was collecting. Therefore, he also had to borrow money which also added to the debt of the country.