The factors include:
- Decades of fiscal irresponsibility.
- enormous costs associated with the upkeep of King Louis XVI extravagant palace at Versailles and the frivolous spending of the queen, Marie -Antoinette.
- Prolonged involvement in Seven Years war of 1756 - 1763 drained the treasury.
- Maintenance of France's sizable army
and navy, which was an expenditure of particular importance during those volatile times.
- Ill - advised financial manoeuvers in late 1700s that worsened the financial situation of the already cash strapped government of France.
