Causes of the French Revolution

Social Inequality: Division of society into three estates:
- First Estate: Clergy (privileged, exempt from taxes)
- Second Estate: Nobility (privileged, owned land)
- Third Estate: Commoners (taxed heavily, included bourgeoisie, urban workers, and peasants)
Economic Hardship:
- Financial crisis due to debt from wars (e.g., American Revolution).
- Rising food prices and poor harvests leading to famine.
- Burden of taxes fell mainly on the Third Estate.
Political Factors:
- Ineffectiveness of King Louis XVI.
- Influence of Enlightenment ideas promoting democracy and equality.
- Estates-General convened in 1789, leading to demands for reform.

Abolition of Feudalism: End of privileges for the First and Second Estates.
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen: Established fundamental rights and equality before the law.
Rise of Nationalism: Promotion of national identity over feudal allegiances.
Women’s Roles: Increased activism but limited rights; figures like Olympe de Gouges advocated for women's rights.

Storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789): Symbolic start of the Revolution.
Great Fear (Summer 1789): Peasant revolts against nobles, leading to widespread unrest.
National Assembly Formation (1789): Third Estate declares itself the National Assembly, signaling a shift in power.
Reign of Terror (1793-1794): Period of extreme violence led by Robespierre, resulting in thousands of executions.
Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte (1799): Overthrows the Directory, establishing a new regime.

Louis XVI: King of France, executed for treason.
Marie Antoinette: Queen, symbol of monarchy's excess; executed.
Maximilien Robespierre: Leader during the Reign of Terror; significant figure in the Jacobin Club.
Georges Danton: Initially supported the Revolution, later executed during the Reign of Terror.
Napoleon Bonaparte: Military leader who rose to power post-Revolution, became Emperor of France.

Establishment of the French Republic: End of monarchy, creation of a republic.
Rise of Napoleon: Transition from revolutionary ideals to authoritarian rule.
Influence on Other Revolutions: Inspired movements for democracy and rights worldwide.
Social Reforms: Ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity continue to influence modern political thought.

Economy: Predominantly agrarian with a growing bourgeoisie; heavy taxation on the poor.
Culture: Enlightenment ideas proliferate; salons became centers of discussion.
Social Structure: Rigid class system; nobility and clergy held significant power over commoners.
Education: Inequities in access; the bourgeoisie sought more educational opportunities.
Religion: Catholic Church held sway; tensions existed between secular and religious authorities.

Social structure divided into three estates, with the First Estate (Clergy) and Second Estate (Nobility) enjoying privileges and tax exemptions, while the Third Estate (Commoners) faced heavy taxation.
Economic turmoil stemmed from financial crises due to debt from wars, poor harvests, rising food prices, and famine, disproportionately affecting the Third Estate.
Political discontent fueled by King Louis XVI’s ineffective leadership and spreading Enlightenment ideas advocating democracy and equality.
The convening of the Estates-General in 1789 highlighted the need for reform and representation of the Third Estate's grievances.

Feudalism was abolished, dismantling the privileges held by the First and Second Estates.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was established, affirming fundamental rights and the principle of equality before the law.
Nationalism emerged, emphasizing a shared national identity over loyalty to feudal lords.
Women's roles expanded through activism, with figures like Olympe de Gouges championing women's rights despite limited formal changes.

The Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, became a powerful symbol of the Revolution's beginning.
The Great Fear swept through rural areas during the summer of 1789, prompting peasant uprisings against aristocracy and widespread panic.
The National Assembly was formed by the Third Estate in 1789, marking a pivotal shift in political power.
The Reign of Terror between 1793-1794 was characterized by intense violence and mass executions led by Robespierre.
Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power in 1799 by overthrowing the Directory, leading to the establishment of a new regime.

King Louis XVI was executed for treason, symbolizing the end of absolute monarchy.
Marie Antoinette, known for her luxurious lifestyle, became a target of revolutionary sentiment and was executed.
Maximilien Robespierre played a central role during the Reign of Terror, becoming a significant figure in the Jacobin Club.
Georges Danton initially supported the revolutionary cause but was later executed during the Reign of Terror.
Napoleon Bonaparte transitioned from a military leader to Emperor of France, reshaping the nation post-Revolution.

The French Republic was established, leading to the dismantling of the monarchy and the rise of republican governance.
Napoleon's ascent marked a departure from revolutionary ideals towards an authoritarian regime.
The Revolution inspired democratic movements and rights campaigns globally, leaving a lasting influence.
Concepts of liberty, equality, and fraternity emerged from the Revolution continue to shape modern political ideologies.

France's economy was largely agrarian, with a significant bourgeoisie class, but heavy taxation primarily impacted the lower classes.
Enlightenment philosophies flourished, with salons becoming important venues for intellectual discussion and debate.
Society was characterized by a rigid class structure, with nobility and clergy exerting substantial control over the common populace.
Access to education was inequitable; the bourgeoisie sought increased educational opportunities.
The Catholic Church wielded significant influence, creating tensions between secular and religious establishments.