Question

model document... powers of the king. — the king, louis xvi, was absolute. he ruled by the divine right theory which held that he had received his power to govern from god and was therefore responsible to god alone. he appointed all civil officials and military officers. he made and enforced the laws. he could declare war and make peace. he levied taxes and spent the peoples money as he saw fit. he controlled the expression of thought by a strict censorship of speech and press. by means of lettres de cachet (sealed letters which were really blank warrants for arrest) he could arbitrarily imprison anyone without trial for an indefinite period. he lived in his magnificent palace at versailles, completely oblivious to the rising tide of popular discontent.... source: friedman & foner, a genetic approach to modern european history, college entrance book co., 1938 according to this document by friedman & foner, what is one cause of the french revolution?

Explanation:

The document describes King Louis XVI as an absolute ruler. Absolute monarchy meant concentrated power with no checks - the king made laws, controlled finances, and could imprison arbitrarily. This lack of accountability and autocratic rule led to popular discontent. As the text states, "He lived... completely oblivious to the rising tide of popular discontent". Such autocratic governance (absolute monarchy) was a cause as it oppressed the people and ignored their grievances.

Answer:

One cause of the French Revolution was absolute monarchy (the autocratic rule of King Louis XVI as described, with no accountability to the people and concentration of power leading to discontent).