Question

State the state of the treasury when louis xvi ascended the throne

Answer 1

France’s finances were in a shaky state through most of the 18th century. Early on, the country was exhausted by the long, warring reign of Louis XIV. As things slowly improved, France entered two more long, very expensive wars in 1740–48 and 1756–63. They lost many of their richest colonies to the British. To reduce the burgeoning debt, they tried to impose a universal 5% tax, but the immensely wealthy Church was exempt, and the nobles had good lawyers to ensure they could avoid paying. But France wasn’t completely broke when Louis XVI became king. It was the poor management of things, some bad harvests amid dropping agricultural prices, and the extraordinary costs of supporting the American Revolution that ultimately broke the back of the Treasury. The legendary extravagance of the court had little effect in itself. Far more important was the indifference of the wealthy and privileged to sharing the burden of paying for society.