The French Revolution

Causes of the French Revolution

• Widespread discontent due to social inequality among the Three Estates: clergy, nobility, and commoners.
• Financial crisis driven by extravagant spending, debt from wars, and poor fiscal management.
• Enlightenment ideas promoting liberty, equality, and fraternity challenged traditional authority.
• Ineffective monarchy under Louis XVI, leading to loss of trust in the government.

Beginning of the French Revolution

• The French Revolution commenced in July 1789 with the Storming of the Bastille, a symbol of royal tyranny.

Radical Measures by the National Assembly

• The National Assembly abolished feudal privileges, dismantling the class system.
• Implemented the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, establishing fundamental rights and freedoms.

Conclusion of the French Revolution

• The revolution concluded in 1799 with the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, marking the transition from a revolutionary government to a consulate.

Principles of Liberal Democracy

• Equality before the law, individual rights, popular sovereignty, and civil liberties emerged as foundational principles from the revolution.

Key Events During the French Revolution

• Formation of the National Assembly in June 1789.
• The Great Fear of 1789 led to peasant revolts against feudal lords.
• The execution of King Louis XVI in 1793 marked a significant turning point.
• The Reign of Terror from 1793 to 1794 characterized by political purges and violence.

Role of the Estates General

• Convened in May 1789 to address the fiscal crisis, its inability to resolve disputes sparked the formation of the National Assembly.

Additional Radical Measures by the National Assembly

• The Civil Constitution of the Clergy, which restructured the Catholic Church in France under state control.
• Introduction of universal male suffrage, initially broadening political participation.

Significance in French Political Discourse

• The French Revolution established ideals that continue to influence modern democratic movements and discussions around rights and governance.
• It serves as a historical reference point for revolutions and movements advocating for democracy and social justice globally.

Test your knowledge of the French Revolution with this quiz! Learn about the key events, influential figures, and lasting impact of this transformative period in French history. Discover the principles of liberal democracy and the enduring institutions that emerged from this era of radical change.