The French Revolution of 1789 was a transformative period in European history, driven by a convergence of political, economic, social, and intellectual forces. Though not directly connected to the modern history of East Asia or Japan (1868–1945), understanding the broader global context of revolutionary movements like the French Revolution helps in comparative historical studies. The French Revolution emerged from deep structural inequalities, intellectual ferment, and immediate financial crises, all of which culminated in a complete overhaul of the political and social order in France. One of the most fundamental causes of the French Revolution was the rigid and unequal social structure. French society was divided into three estates: the First Estate (clergy), the Second Estate (nobility), and the Third Estate (commoners). The First and Second Estates enjoyed numerous privileges, such as exemption from most taxes and exclusive access to high offices and feudal rights. In contrast, the Third Estate, comprising the vast majority of the population—peasants, artisans, and the bourgeoisie (middle class)—bore the brunt of taxation and had minimal political influence. The resentment against this institutionalized inequality, especially from the increasingly wealthy and educated bourgeoisie, laid the groundwork for revolutionary sentiments. Economic hardship played a crucial role in fostering discontent. France's financial system was in crisis due to years of deficit spending, extravagant royal expenditures, and the costly involvement in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). The French monarchy had accumulated an enormous national debt, and by the late 1780s, the state was nearly bankrupt. Efforts to reform the tax system to