The American War of Independence-
(1776-1783), 1066 million livre spent, in
the short term worsening the already
weak financial situation of the crown.
Ideas such as liberty and democracy
spread.
Financial Crisis
On 20th August 1786-
nearing bankruptcy, 112
million livre deficit in 1786.
Increased in 1788 to 126 million livre, anticipated that for
1780, interest payments of the deficit would amount to
62 per cent of receipts.
Economic
Crisis
The economy was largely based on agriculture,
therefore the bad harvests in 1778-9,
1781-2,1785-6 had a large impact.
In 1788-9 bread was 88 % of
a labourer's wage.
Textile production fell by 50% in 1789, largely
affecting women in rural areas .
Ordinary people accused land-owners and tithe-owners of grain
hoarding.
Politicisation of the
Third Estate came out
of the economic crisis.
the boston tea party
this was when the protesters got onto
the ship that were in boston port threw
all the tea into the river
hundreds got onto these ships and threw the tea off