What were the underlying causes of the French Revolution?
            
             It has been argued by Ancient Greek Philosopher Plato that
            
             revolutions can be a result of a breakdown of consensus in the
            
             ruling class, such countries as France, Russia and China are all
            
             good paradigms of this particular theory.
            
            
             The course of a revolution usually comes into effect due to two
            
             types of causes ; preconditions and precipitants. This is a
            
             structural approach and is in contrast with Plato's theory which
            
             supports that "the economic and social structure of France had
            
             greatly outgrown her political and governmental system" 1. These are
            
             the preconditions of the French Revolution.
            
             The precipitants can be associated with historical accidents,
            
             special operations and specific events, such as the storming the
            
             Royal Prison, The Bastille in July 14th of 1789 which was inspired
            
             by the National Assembly, and symbolizes the people of France
            
             marking the beginning of the revolutionary spirit. These particular
            
             instances provide the spark to ignite a revolution.
            
             The climate of uncertainty was highlighted by King Louis the XVI by
            
             various determinations in his power. Louis the XVI inherited debt
            
             problem caused by Louis XV, his grandfather, and added to the crisis
            
             through the expense in the American War of Independence (1775-1783),
            
             he also appointed successive minister after minister to deal with
            
             the financial crisis.
            
             This Financial crisis became a major determinant of Louis XVI
            
             calling on a medieval representative institution, known as the
            
             Estates General, not called on since 1614. This become an
            
             extraordinary general meeting of representatives of the three
            
             estates at Versailles.
            
             Due to the expense of The War of American Independence, the French
            
             government had a fiscal and budgetary crisis that required the
            
             extension of the distribution of taxation t...