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What were the causes of the French Revolution?
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The causes of the French Revolution were multiple and complex – economic, social, and political factors all played a role. The leading cause was the inequality and disparity between the wealthy members of the First and Second Estates and the poorer members of the Third Estate, who had little to no political representation. Discontent arose from an unfair taxation system which largely benefited the wealthy, leading to a breakdown of trust between the government and citizens. The Enlightenment also played a large role, as the nobility were exposed to new ideas of individual liberty and constitutionalism. These ideas, combined with a bankruptcy in the government, pushed the social tension to a breaking point.