How did Louis XVI contribute to the outbreak of revolution in France by 1789?
Inheriting a bankrupt nation, the inexperienced Louis XVI further compounded France’s flailing economy by entering into the American War of Independence in 1776. Raising the taxes on the already overburdened Third Estate, and combined with bad harvests in the1780s, Louis failed to reform the inequitable taxation system of France, which saw the Third Estate shouldering the burden of France’s debt. Calling the Assembly of Notables in 1787 to discuss the issue of tax reform, which they agreed to in principle, but refused to put into practice, Louis’ weak character was revealed in his inability to exercise the lit de justice to force reforms through. With the country losing faith in his ability to lead, and the aristocrats revolting around the parlements all over the country, Louis had no choice but to reinstate Jacques Necker, who declared the country bankrupt, and call the ancient body of the Estates General, thereby setting the scene for the outbreak of revolution by 1789.
