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Introduction
The French Revolution was a period of radical political and social change in France that began in 1789 and ended in 1799.
It was inspired by the Enlightenment ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity, and challenged the absolute monarchy and the feudal system.
It led to the establishment of a republic, the execution of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, the Reign of Terror, the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte, and the emergence of nationalism and democracy in Europe.
Causes of the Revolution in France
The main causes of the revolution were social, economic, and political.
Socially, France was divided into three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners. The first two estates enjoyed privileges and exemptions from taxes, while the third estate bore the burden of taxation and had no political representation.
Economically, France was in a state of crisis due to the wars waged by Louis XVI, the lavish spending of the royal court, the bad harvests, and the high prices of food. The government was heavily in debt and tried to impose new taxes on the third estate, which sparked resentment and resistance.
Politically, France was ruled by an absolute monarch who claimed divine right and denied the people any say in the affairs of the state. The king was advised by corrupt and incompetent ministers who ignored the grievances of the people. The people were influenced by the Enlightenment thinkers who advocated for the rights of man and the separation of powers.
Key Events of the Revolution
The revolution began with the meeting of the Estates General in May 1789, where the third estate demanded a fair representation and a vote by head. When the king refused, the third estate declared itself the National Assembly and vowed to draft a constitution for France.
On July 14, 1789, a mob of Parisians stormed the Bastille, a symbol of royal tyranny, and freed the prisoners inside. This event marked the beginning of the popular uprising and the end of the old regime.
On August 26, 1789, the National Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which proclaimed the equality of all men, the sovereignty of the people, and the natural rights of liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.
On October 5, 1789, thousands of women marched to Versailles and demanded bread and the return of the king to Paris. The king agreed and moved to the Tuileries Palace, where he was effectively a prisoner of the revolution.