Louis XVI was persuaded to finance and provide troops for the American Revolution, which cost France a great amount of money it had to borrow. The success of the American Revolution decreased British power and prestige but hurt France and its finances and economy in the process. The American Revolution further legitimized republican government at the expense of monarchical rule.
Louis XVI spent too much money, did not obtain taxes from the nobility as he was advised to do by previous ministers, failed to communicate with the common people or their representatives, did not change with the times and was indecisive and weak. Absolute monarchs are supposed to control finances, nobles and revolutionary tensions with timely reforms, but Louis XVI let the expenses, inequities and oppressions of the previous reigns build to the breaking point.
