The Failure of Reforms
The kings tried to solve the economic woes, but were unsuccessful. King Louis XVI hired a financial consultant who advised him to reduce court spending on themselves, reduce taxes on the poor, and reform the government. He was fired!
There were many reforms inside the government. The heirs of Louis XVI were not the right men to solve the economic crisis that afflicted France. As the crisis deepened, the pressure for reform mounted. Finally, the wealthy and powerful classes demanded that the king summonthe Estates General before making any changes. French kings had not called the Estates General for 175 years, fearing that nobles would use it to recover the feudal powers that they had lost under absolute rule.
There were many reforms inside the government. The heirs of Louis XVI were not the right men to solve the economic crisis that afflicted France. As the crisis deepened, the pressure for reform mounted. Finally, the wealthy and powerful classes demanded that the king summonthe Estates General before making any changes. French kings had not called the Estates General for 175 years, fearing that nobles would use it to recover the feudal powers that they had lost under absolute rule.