1. Dismissal of Necker and the Assembly of the Notables (1789): In 1787, Louis XVI appointed Jacques Necker, a popular finance minister, to address France's crippling financial crisis. However, Louis dismissed Necker in 1789 after the Assembly of Notables, a group of prominent nobles convened to address financial issues, failed to agree on a solution. This dismissal sparked widespread public anger and fueled the escalating tensions that led to the storming of the Bastille in July 1789.
2. Resistance to reforms and attempts to reassert royal power: Despite the growing unrest and the formation of the National Assembly, Louis XVI continued to resist meaningful reforms. He resisted attempts to limit the king's power and refused to endorse the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. Louis's attempts to reassert royal power, such as ordering troops to Versailles in June 1789, further alienated the people and fueled the revolutionary movement.
3. The "Flight to Varennes" (1791): In June 1791, Louis XVI, along with his family, attempted to flee France for Austria, seeking the support of European monarchs to quell the revolution. The escape was unsuccessful, and the king's capture further eroded public trust and fueled the republican movement. This act was seen as a betrayal by the French people, who felt abandoned by their king.
While there were other factors contributing to the French Revolution, Louis XVI's actions and inaction during these crucial years played a significant role in driving the country towards revolution.