Describe the circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France?

The outbreak of revolutionary protest in France, specifically the French Revolution, was a result of a combination of social, political, and economic factors.

1. Social Inequality: France was divided into three estates. The First Estate was the clergy, the Second Estate was the nobility, and the Third Estate was the common people, who were the majority of the population. The First and Second Estates were privileged in many ways, including being exempt from many taxes, while the Third Estate bore the brunt of taxation. This inequality led to resentment among the common people.

2. Economic Crisis: France was in a state of economic crisis in the late 18th century. The country was heavily in debt due to involvement in the American Revolution and other wars. The cost of living was also increasing, leading to widespread poverty among the Third Estate.

3. Political Inefficiency: The monarchy under Louis XVI was seen as ineffective and out of touch with the problems of the common people. The Estates-General, the legislative body of France, was also seen as unfair because the First and Second Estates could outvote the Third Estate, despite the Third Estate being the majority of the population.

4. Enlightenment Ideas: The ideas of the Enlightenment, such as equality and democracy, were becoming popular among the people of France. These ideas challenged the traditional authority of the monarchy and the church.

5. The Influence of Other Revolutions: The American Revolution had a significant impact on France. It not only drained the French treasury, but also demonstrated that a revolution could lead to a more democratic form of government.

These factors combined to create a climate of revolutionary protest in France, leading to the French Revolution in 1789.