The immediate factor which actually precipitated the crisis of the French Revolution was the problem of French Government’s financial bankruptcy. In May 1789 Louis XVI convened a session of the Estates General with a view to sanction reforms which would restore financial order and enable the government to work smoothly.
It certainly did not meet with the intention of overthrowing the government of France or destroying the monarchy and nobility.
Further, even if the government had provided a lead and presented concrete scheme of reforms before the Estates General there is every possibility that the Estate General would have accepted the proposed reforms. But the government failed to provide any lead in this regard.
As a result for almost two months the Estates General was involved in a wrangle whether it should divide itself into three chambers as had been the case in 1614 or all the three categories of members should meet and vote as one body. Naturally the privileged classed preferred the first course, while the common people preferred the second alternative and insisted on voting by head.
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As a consequence a tussle between the privileged and unprivileged classes started for controlling the Estates- General. The Third Estate asserted that as it represented ninety-six per cent of the nations it alone was qualified to voice the views of the people, and insisted on holding a joint session with the nobles and clergy.
On the other hand, the nobility and the clergy were not willing to work in cooperation with the Third Estate. In view of this the Third Estate declared itself as constituting National Assembly on 17 June, 1789. This was a revolutionary development and paved the way for further development of the French Revolution.
At this juncture there were only three courses open to the king. First, to surrender to the Third Estate. Second, to expel the members of the Third Estate through use of force. Third, to introduced reforms with a view to placate them. Louis XVI decided to follow the last course. However, simultaneously he also kept his soldiers ready to overawe the people and compel them to submit to royal orders.