Question

french revolution: causes worksheet
this worksheet helps you understand the main causes of the french revolution. work in groups or individually to identify each cause, explain it briefly, and describe how it led to the outbreak of the revolution in 1789.

cause	explanation	how it led to the revolution
social inequality
economic crisis
weak leadership
enlightenment ideas
influence of the american revolution

exit ticket: which cause do you think was the most important and why? write two to three sentences below.

Explanation:

• Social Inequality: The French society was divided into three estates. The Third - estate (commoners) carried a heavy tax burden while having few rights, leading to discontent and desire for change.
• Economic Crisis: France faced financial problems due to costly wars and a regressive tax system. High food prices and unemployment among the common people added to the unrest.
• Weak Leadership: King Louis XVI was indecisive and ineffective in addressing the country's problems, failing to implement necessary reforms in a timely manner.
• Enlightenment Ideas: Philosophers like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu promoted ideas of liberty, equality, and democracy, inspiring the French people to question the existing social and political order.
• Influence of the American Revolution: The success of the American colonists in overthrowing British rule and establishing a democratic nation showed that revolution was possible and inspired the French to seek similar freedoms.

For the Exit Ticket, one could argue that social inequality was the most important cause. The vast disparity between the privileged and the common people created deep - seated resentment that was a driving force behind the revolution.

Answer:

• Social Inequality: Explanation: French society divided into three estates; Third - estate overtaxed and disenfranchised. How it led to the Revolution: Created discontent and desire for change.
• Economic Crisis: Explanation: Financial problems from wars and regressive taxes; high food prices and unemployment. How it led to the Revolution: Increased unrest among common people.
• Weak Leadership: Explanation: King Louis XVI indecisive and ineffective in reforms. How it led to the Revolution: Failure to address country's problems.
• Enlightenment Ideas: Explanation: Philosophers promoted liberty, equality, and democracy. How it led to the Revolution: Inspired people to question the status - quo.
• Influence of the American Revolution: Explanation: Success of American colonists in establishing democracy. How it led to the Revolution: Showed revolution was possible and inspired French.
• Exit Ticket: Social inequality was likely the most important cause as the extreme disparity between the estates created deep - seated resentment that drove the revolution.