French Revolution Causes and Outbreak

The Enlightenment's emphasis on reason, individual rights, and popular sovereignty, along with the American Revolution's success in establishing a representative government, inspired similar ideals in France.

France's economic and social crisis was a key driver of the Revolution. The peasantry, burdened by heavy taxes and feudal obligations, sought relief, while the bourgeoisie aimed to dismantle the privileges of the nobility and clergy.

A series of poor harvests in France led to a rise in food prices, particularly bread. This sparked widespread discontent and protests among the population, fueling the revolutionary spirit.

France's monarchy faced a financial crisis due to overspending and inefficient tax collection. The monarchy's attempts to levy taxes on the privileged classes were met with resistance, leading to the convocation of the Estates-General.

The Estates-General was a representative assembly of the three estates: clergy, nobility, and commoners (the Third Estate). The Third Estate, seeking greater representation and voting power, broke away from the Estates-General to form the National Assembly, marking a turning point in the Revolution.

The storming of the Bastille, a royal prison in Paris, symbolized the people's rebellion against the monarchy. It marked a significant victory for the revolutionaries and spread the revolution across the countryside.

The revolutionaries' fear of the monarchy's potential retaliation spread rapidly, leading to attacks on noble estates in the countryside. This event, known as the Great Fear, highlighted the deep-seated anger and fear amongst the peasantry.

In the first phase of the French Revolution, the moderate bourgeoisie sought to establish a constitutional monarchy, where the king shared power with a representative parliament. This aimed to create a more balanced and just system of government.

The French Revolution was a period of social and political upheaval in France that began in 1789 with the storming of the Bastille and ended in 1799 with the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte to power. The revolution saw the end of the monarchy, the establishment of the First French Republic, and the rise of the bourgeoisie.

The National Constituent Assembly was a revolutionary assembly formed in 1789 during the French Revolution. It was responsible for drafting the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, abolishing feudalism, and creating a new constitution.

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, adopted in 1789, was a document setting out the rights and freedoms of all citizens. It recognized the natural rights to liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.

The Reign of Terror was a period of violence and repression in France during the French Revolution, lasting from 1793 to 1794. It was characterized by mass executions of those suspected of opposing the revolution, including aristocrats, clergy, and even ordinary citizens. The radical Jacobin leader Maximilien Robespierre was a key figure in this period.

The Directory was a five-member executive body that ruled France from 1795 to 1799. It replaced the Committee of Public Safety and was formed after the Reign of Terror. However, it was unstable, facing opposition from the aristocracy and the common people.

The Consulate was a period of authoritarian rule in France led by Napoleon Bonaparte from 1799 to 1804. Following a coup d’etat, Napoleon took control, abolishing the Directory and establishing the Consulate. The period is marked by political stability, economic recovery, and the consolidation of some revolutionary principles.

Napoleon Bonaparte's coup d’etat in 1799, which ended the Directory and established the Consulate. Napoleon’s rise to power saw the reinstatement of stability and the adoption of strong, centralized authoritarian rule by him.

The Napoleonic Empire was a period of French domination in Europe from 1804 to 1815. Napoleon Bonaparte declared himself emperor, and France expanded its influence via conquest over most European states. His military successes established him as the most powerful man in Europe.

The Grande Armée was the large and powerful army that Napoleon Bonaparte used to conquer Europe. It was a well-trained and well-equipped force that employed new military tactics, and played a key role in Napoleon's rise to power.

The Battle of Austerlitz was a major victory for Napoleon Bonaparte in 1805. This battle broke Austrian power and strengthened Napoleon’s dominance in Central Europe. It contributed greatly to the expansion of the Napoleonic Empire