The French Revolution was one of the most impactful events in French history.

Arguments as to why the Revolution happened and the one direct cause of it seem incomplete.
The French Revolution has very complex and overlapping origins that make it almost impossible
to make a case of one source of public outrage. The broad origin of the French Revolution lies in
the political and financial deterioration of the monarchy. The fiscal irresponsibility of the crown,
the political blunderings of Louis XVI and his ministers, and the intellectual maturation of the
French people all fed into the loss of control by the king.
One of the most popular origin stories of the Revolution is the financial aspect. The fiscal
origins of the French Revolution seem to be in two parts. The financial downfall of the
Monarchy causing extreme debt and the rise in prices on the level of the third estate are two
separate yet intertwined stories. The debt in the government began long before Louis XVIs
reign. The massive collection of debt in the government coffers began with his grandfather,
Louis XIV. Dubbing himself the Sun King, Louis funded several wars that plunged the monarchy
into debt. Louis solutions were to raise taxes on the third estate which they accepted as the norm
during wartimes and to sell venal offices. The first and second estates exclusion of taxation
caused tensions within the third estate. After the Venal offices sold at an unprecedented rate
during Louis XIVs reign, over 50,000 were sold by the end of his life (Lecture, Aug. 29th). The
sale of venal offices were a good idea for quick upfront cash but held two issues for two different
groups. For the government venal offices caused trouble due to the salaries given to the new
employees of the crown. The holder received a salary as long as they lived even if their job
wasnt necessarily vital to the crown. The problem became worse if the holder purchased a
paulette so their son could also receive the same privilege. The venal offices caused more long
term debt for Louis that outweighed the money coming in from their purchase. The venal offices

also angered the bonne noblesse nobility of France. New nobility gained from the purchase of
venal offices suddenly placed wealthy merchants and bourgeoisie in the same circles as the old
money and respected second estate, as well as gave them employment within the government.
The second estate didnt respond well to this in the slightest. The competition for privilege was
suddenly made more difficult for country nobility and the bonne noblesse.