As the 18th century drew to a close involvement in the American Revolution and extravagant spending by king Louis XVI (1754-1793) and his predecessor had left the country on the bankrupty. Not only that, but the royal coffers depleted and two decades at poor cereal harvestes, drought cattle disease and skyrocketing bread pieces had kindled unrest among peasants and the urban poor many expressed their desperation and resentment toward a Regime that imposed heavy taxes yet failed to provide relief by rioting,looting, and striking