how can you say that Louis 16 was a despotic ruler

Q- how can you say that Louis 16 was a despotic ruler ?

Answer- Louis 16 of bourbon dynasty, ascended the throne in 1774. He was married to Austrian princess marie Antoinette. When he become ruler, he found an empty treasury. Long years of war had drained the financial resources of france added to this was the cost of maintaining the extravagant court of immense of palace of Versailles.

Louis 16 also helped America in their war of independence, which lead to further rise to more than 2 billion livres debt. 

To meet its regular expenses, the state was forced to increase taxes. Nobles, clergy and rich people were exempted from paying taxes, it was the third estate which bore the brunt.

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