Louis XVI´s decision to summon the estates-general prove disastrous because during it, the Third Estate , representing the Commoners decided to form a National Assembly, inviting the other two Estates ( Clergy and Nobility) to join them against the King. This is considered to be the start of the French Revolution.
The key factor which fueled competition between European countries for colonies in the Americas was C) the desire to control sources of gold and silver. Although Europe did have certain resources, it had definitely depleted itself in gold and silver and there was a sort of race between the big European super powers to enrich themselves as much as they could. This can be especially seen with the silver mines in Mexico which both the Spanish and the French wanted to acquire.
