Question

What was the financial condition of France on the eye of the revolution

Answer 1

1) In 1774, Louis XVI ascended the throne and found an awaiting empty, treasury

2) Additionally he commissioned the financing of the independence of the thirteen colonies.

3) The numerous wars added an additional one billion litres to an existing 2 billion livres

4) Furthermore the grand Versailles and its numerous courts had to be maintained

5) As the lenders levied heavy interest charges , the treasury money was spent on interests while they increased taxes

6) Finally, the subsistence crisis increased prices and increased the gap between the rich and poor.