Question: What were the causes of the French Revolution (MEAT)? (scroll down for answer)       Answer: MEAT M - Monarchy. The rule of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette was inefficient, and did not meet the needs of the people. E - The Enlightenment. Ideas of liberty and equality made people further resent the absolute monarchy in France. A - American Revolution. The King and Queen spent a lot of money to help America defeat the British. All the while, people were starving in France. In addition, there was a belief that if the Americans could be successful in a revolution that brought liberty, so too could the French. T - Taxes/Third Estate. The Third Estate made up about 98% of the people. Despite not having most of the wealth in France, they paid the brunt of the taxes. They also had little say in government. Click here for next flash card.      Back to eFlashcard headquarters