Faced with famine, increased taxes, and rising discontent, louis xvi called a meeting of the estates-general. this was the
first time this call had been issued in one hundred fifty years. why did the king call this meeting?

Faced with famine, increased taxes, and rising discontent, Louis XVI called a meeting of the Estates-General. This was the first time this call had been issued in one hundred fifty years. The king call this meeting because there was a widespread financial unrest in the whole territory.  

Explanation:

The meeting of the estate general in 1789 was called in order to look for a solution for the rise of economic unrest in France. All the three branches i.e. the nobility , the clergy and the commoners were present. However this idea failed when there was a clash of interest between the clergy and the b on one side and the commoners on the other side.  

The failure of 3rd estate provides a perfect ground for the rise to the revolution of French .

it further strained relations between the north and the south and convinced