The French Revolution of 1789 had several primary causes, and it profoundly changed the political and social structure of France. Here are the main causes and the resulting influences:

### Causes of the French Revolution

1. **Economic Hardship**:
– **Debt and Taxation**: France was deeply in debt due to costly wars, including the American Revolutionary War. The monarchy’s extravagant spending worsened the financial situation. To address this, King Louis XVI imposed heavy taxes on the common people, while the nobility and clergy were largely exempt.
– **Famine and Poverty**: Poor harvests in the late 1780s led to food shortages, high bread prices, and widespread hunger. This created immense suffering among the common people (the Third Estate).

2. **Social Inequality**:
– **Estate System**: French society was divided into three estates: the First Estate (clergy), the Second Estate (nobility), and the Third Estate (commoners). The Third Estate, which made up about 98% of the population, had little political power and was burdened with most of the taxes.
– **Privilege and Resentment**: The privileges enjoyed by the First and Second Estates created resentment among the Third Estate, who demanded more equality and representation.

3. **Enlightenment Ideas**:
– **Philosophical Influence**: Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu criticized absolute monarchy and proposed ideas about democracy, equality, and individual rights. These ideas inspired the educated middle class (bourgeoisie) to seek change.

4. **Political Mismanagement**:
– **Weak Leadership**: King Louis XVI was seen as an ineffective ruler. His inability to address France’s economic problems and his indecision in dealing with political issues contributed to the crisis.
– **Estates-General**: In 1789, Louis XVI called the Estates-General to address the financial crisis. The Third Estate, feeling underrepresented, formed the National Assembly and declared itself the true representative body of France.

### Influence of the Revolution on France

1. **Political Changes**:
– **End of Monarchy**: The revolution led to the fall of the monarchy. King Louis XVI was eventually executed, and France became a republic.
– **Rise of Democratic Ideals**: The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was adopted, promoting liberty, equality, and fraternity. These principles laid the foundation for modern democratic governance in France.
– **New Political Structures**: The National Assembly, and later the National Convention, established new forms of governance. The revolution saw the rise and fall of various political factions and leaders, including Robespierre and the Jacobins.

2. **Social Changes**:
– **Abolition of Feudal Privileges**: The revolution abolished feudal privileges, ending the legal inequalities between the estates. This allowed for greater social mobility and reduced the power of the nobility and clergy.
– **Secularization**: The revolution diminished the influence of the Catholic Church in state affairs. Church lands were confiscated, and religious institutions were brought under state control.
– **Civil Rights**: The revolution promoted the idea of civil rights and the protection of individual freedoms. Although these rights were not always consistently applied, they set important precedents for future reforms.

3. **Economic Changes**:
– **Land Reforms**: Confiscated church and noble lands were redistributed, benefiting the middle class and peasantry.
– **Economic Liberalism**: The revolution encouraged free trade and reduced internal tariffs, fostering economic liberalism.

Overall, the French Revolution dismantled the old feudal and monarchical structures, paving the way for modern democratic and secular society in France. Its influence extended beyond France, inspiring revolutionary movements worldwide and shaping the course of modern history.