The French Revolution of 1789 was fueled by a mix of social, economic, and political issues that deeply affected the lives of ordinary people. Socially, France was a land of sharp inequalities. The society was divided into three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and everyone else, known as the Third Estate. Most people belonged to the Third Estate and were burdened with heavy taxes, while the privileged classes paid little or none. This created a deep sense of injustice and resentment among the common folk.

Economically, France was in turmoil. The country had accumulated massive debt due to expensive wars and the lavish lifestyle of King Louis XVI and his court. To make matters worse, poor harvests in the late 1780s led to food shortages and soaring bread prices. For many families, putting food on the table became a daily struggle, leading to widespread anger and desperation.

Politically, the absolute monarchy was increasingly seen as out of touch and oppressive. Enlightenment ideas promoting liberty and equality were spreading, inspiring people to question the existing order. When King Louis XVI called the Estates-General in 1789 to address the financial crisis, it quickly became clear that the Third Estate was vastly underrepresented. Frustration boiled over, culminating in the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, a symbolic act that marked the start of the revolution. These interconnected grievances created a powerful wave of demand for change, leading to the upheaval that transformed France.