The French Revolution had a number of causes.
Causes of the French Revolution . Social : The emergence of an influential bourgeoisie which was formally part of the Third Estate ( commoners ) but had evolved into a caste with its own agenda and aspired to political equality with the clergy ( First Estate ) and the aristocracy ( Second Estate ) . Financial : France 's debt , aggravated by French involvement in the American Revolution , led Louis XVI to implement new taxations and to reduce privileges . French Revolution . The causes of the French Revolution are complex and are still debated among historians .