<human>:  What were the causes of the French Revolution?
<bot>: The causes of the French Revolution were rooted in inequalities within the country that dated back centuries. The French monarchy had become weak and unable to raise the necessary funds to support the state, leading to oppressive taxation on the lower classes of society. As the country went through economic hardship, its citizens began to question why certain classes of society had privileges that were denied to others, eventually leading to the demand for equality and liberty. Additionally, inspiring ideas from the Enlightenment period, such as the concepts of natural rights of citizens and government by consent, led to a growing desire for radical reform.