Enlightenment ideals such as freedom and the pursuit of rigorous truth and happiness were major players in the French Revolution.

• The Enlightenment took place starting in western Europe in the mid-1600s through to the late 18th century. The scientific method at large draws some of its most substantial roots from this period of time, when new ideas and freer ways of life were exploding alongside a more rigorous approach to "truth". The nature of humanity and human society in general were also being explored more fully through secular avenues, which led to a desire for a set-up that honored equal human rights rather than, for instance, God-appointed leaders.

• Some think that drastic weather and poor harvests in the years leading up to the French Revolution were a major cause of the Revolution. This seems true, for sure, but I personally might still think the largest factors in spurring the Revolution were ideas that came along with The Enlightenment: Total freedom and the chance for societal a societal shift to humanistic pursuits of happiness, truth, and freely established methods for meaning-making. These ideals would have, in my opinion, been able to spur more of a desire for long-lasting action towards societal change.

The Enlightenment may have helped initiate revolution, but it was the tension caused by oppression of the lower classes which was the true 'cause'

• Growing social tensions in France led up to the French Revolution as a result of multiple factors.
• The Enlightenment caused a dramatic shift in thought in French society which did contribute to these tensions in that people were waking up to their oppression and coming to prioritise liberty and religious tolerance in opposition to absolute monarchy and the church.
• The Enlightenment provided hope and inspiration for better, alternative structuring of society.
• Thus they became less tolerant of their poor treatment, however it was this treatment itself that can be ruled as the 'cause' of the revolution in that it is the reason revolution was deemed necessary.

The Estates System

• The Estates System implemented in the 1780s is seen as a huge contributor of class tensions.
• French society was divided into three hierarchical 'estates' or classes, with 98% of all citizens including merchants, lawyers, labourers and peasants belonging to the lowest class, known as the Third Estate.
• The Third Estate was excluded from positions of honour and political power and was looked down upon by the other estates.
• Despite being the poorest estate, the Third Estate was forced to pay heavy taxes while the other two were exempted.
• The Third Estate's anger and resentment towards this treatment united them in revolution by 1789.

The ineffective leadership of King Louis XV and XVI

• The poor economic condition of the nation angered the masses and they became critical of their king as Louis XV failed to overcome the financial problems facing France.
• Their attempts to solve the food crisis were poor. Louis XVI implemented deregulation of the grain market but it resulted in further increasing the bread prices, which was the staple food of the masses.
• This lead to widespread starvation across the nation.
• Whilst the nation was deep in a financial crisis, the extravagant expenditure on luxuries by both kings outraged the lower classes whilst they suffered.