"The ideas of the Enlightenment were the main reason revolution broke out in France in 1789" Explain why you agree or disagree with this view

The ideas of the Enlightenment were a major reason behind revolution breaking out in France in 1789. This is because Enlightenment ideas of liberalism, egalitarianism and equality spread rapidly in France in the years leading up to 1789, helped by rising literacy rates, and led to more radical ideas being accessible to the people. Enlightenment philosophes such as Rousseau were also important in spreading anti-monarchy thought through their works which were widely discussed by the bourgeoisie in salons across France and particularly Paris. The ideas of the enlightenment were therefore a very important reason behind revolution breaking out in Paris in 1789 as they helped to radicalise the general public and spread revolutionary ideas.However, there were also other important reasons why revolution broke out in France in 1789, such as the worsening financial crisis which was exacerbated by the American war of independence, the rigid class structure of the Ancien Regime and the weakness of Louis XVI's leadership. These important reasons all contributed towards the break out of revolution in France in 1789. Therefore, although the ideas of the enlightenment were a very important reason behind the break out of revolution in France in 1789, there were also other reasons that were equally as important and together all of these reasons led to revolution in France. In this way the enlightenment was not the main reason revolution broke out in France in 1789.