What event contributed to the debt of the French government before the French Revolution?

The American Revolutionary War significantly impacted the financial situation of the French government leading up to the French Revolution. France's involvement in the war was motivated by a desire to weaken their rival, Great Britain, but it came at a high cost. The French government provided substantial military and financial support to the American colonies in their fight for independence. This support placed immense strain on France's already precarious finances, contributing to a growing national debt.

As a result, the financial burdens from the war not only depleted the treasury but also heightened social tensions, as the government sought to impose taxes to recover its losses. This discontent among the populace, particularly the Third Estate, played a critical role in fostering the revolutionary climate that would eventually lead to the French Revolution.