Causes of the French Revolution

Study Notes

Financial Crisis: France was heavily indebted from the Seven Years' War and American Revolutionary War, leading to a severe financial crisis.
Social Inequality: The burden of taxation fell on the common people, while the nobility and clergy were exempt, creating resentment among the lower classes.
Enlightenment Ideas: The spread of Enlightenment ideas, such as liberty, equality, and democracy, inspired the people to demand change.
Food Shortages: Crop failures and food shortages in the late 18th century further exacerbated the situation.

Summoned in 1789: King Louis XVI summoned the Estates-General to address the financial crisis, but it had not been convened since 1614.
Three Estates: The Estates-General consisted of three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the common people.
Third Estate Demands: The Third Estate, representing the common people, demanded representation and reform, leading to the creation of the National Assembly.

Formed in 1789: The National Assembly was formed by the Third Estate, with the goal of creating a new constitution.
Tennis Court Oath: The members of the National Assembly took the Tennis Court Oath, pledging to continue their work until a new constitution was established.
Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen: The National Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, which established the principles of the Revolution.

1793-1794: The Reign of Terror was a period of violence and repression during the French Revolution, led by Maximilien Robespierre.
Execution of King Louis XVI: King Louis XVI was executed in 1793, marking the beginning of the Reign of Terror.
Radical Jacobins: The Radical Jacobins, led by Robespierre, dominated the Committee of Public Safety, executing thousands of people deemed enemies of the Revolution.

Coup d'État: Napoleon Bonaparte, a successful military general, seized power in a coup d'État in 1799.
Consul for Life: Napoleon was appointed Consul for Life, marking the end of the French Revolution and the beginning of the Napoleonic Empire.
Military Conquests: Napoleon's military conquests expanded the French Empire, but ultimately led to his downfall in 1815.

Financial Crisis: France's debt from the Seven Years' War and American Revolutionary War led to a severe financial crisis, with a national debt of over 5 billion livres.
Burden of Taxation: The common people bore the brunt of taxation, while the nobility and clergy were exempt, causing widespread resentment.

Convened in 1789: King Louis XVI summoned the Estates-General, which had not met since 1614, to address the financial crisis.
Three Estates Represented: The Estates-General consisted of three estates: the clergy (1st estate), the nobility (2nd estate), and the common people (3rd estate).

Formed in 1789: The National Assembly was formed by the Third Estate, demanding representation and reform, marking a significant shift in French politics.
Tennis Court Oath: On June 20, 1789, the National Assembly took the Tennis Court Oath, pledging to continue their work until a new constitution was established.
Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen: The National Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen on August 26, 1789, establishing the principles of the Revolution.

1793-1794: The Reign of Terror, a period of violence and repression, lasted from September 1793 to July 1794, led by Maximilien Robespierre and the Radical Jacobins.
Execution of King Louis XVI: King Louis XVI was guillotined on January 21, 1793, marking the beginning of the Reign of Terror.
Radical Jacobins: The Radical Jacobins, led by Robespierre, dominated the Committee of Public Safety, executing thousands of people deemed enemies of the Revolution.

Coup d'État: Napoleon Bonaparte, a successful military general, seized power in a coup d'État on November 9, 1799.
Consul for Life: Napoleon was appointed Consul for Life on May 12, 1802, marking the end of the French Revolution and the beginning of the Napoleonic Empire.
Military Conquests: Napoleon's military conquests expanded the French Empire, but ultimately led to his downfall in 1815, following the Battle of Waterloo.