Amidst ongoing famine, rising discontent, and increased taxes Louis XVI called a meeting of the Estates-General leading up to the French Revolution. This was the first time this call had been issued in one hundred fifty years. Why did the king call this meeting?

Louis XVI called the Estates-General because France faced a severe financial crisis, with growing debt and an ineffective tax system. He needed support for reforms, including changes to taxation, to raise revenue and stabilize the monarchy’s finances. The meeting was not initially called to create a constitutional monarchy or directly solve the famine.

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