The French Revolution was a big event in world history. It started in 1789 and lasted until 1799. This was a time when many people in France wanted change. The people were unhappy with their king, the rich nobles, and the unfair way the country was ruled. They wanted liberty, equality, and fraternity, which means freedom, fairness, and brotherhood.
Life in France Before the Revolution
Before the Revolution, France was ruled by King Louis XVI. He had all the power, and he lived in a huge palace called Versailles. Life was good for the king and the nobles, who were very rich and had many privileges. They did not pay many taxes, so they kept most of their money.
However, life was hard for common people, especially the peasants. They worked hard, paid high taxes, and had little money. There was often not enough food to eat. The poor people were called the "Third Estate," and they had almost no power or rights. They felt it was unfair that the rich lived so well while they suffered.
The Ideas of the Enlightenment
In the 1700s, some thinkers, like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu, began talking about new ideas. They believed people should have more freedom and equality. They thought the king should not have all the power, and that people should choose their leaders. These ideas spread in France and made people want change.
Financial Problems
By the late 1780s, France had serious money problems. The country had spent a lot of money fighting wars, especially helping America gain its freedom from Britain. Now, France was in debt. King Louis XVI tried to raise taxes, but the people were angry. He called a meeting of the "Estates-General" in May 1789 to discuss taxes and the country's problems.
The Estates-General and the Tennis Court Oath
The Estates-General was a gathering of people from the three "estates": the clergy (church leaders), the nobles, and the common people (Third Estate). Each group had one vote, but this was unfair because the Third Estate represented most of the people. The Third Estate wanted more votes to have a fair say, but the king refused.
Frustrated, the Third Estate formed their own group called the "National Assembly" in June 1789. They wanted to make decisions for all of France. When they were locked out of their meeting room, they met in a nearby tennis court and took the "Tennis Court Oath." They promised to stay together until they created a new constitution for France. This was a big step toward the Revolution.
The Storming of the Bastille
On July 14, 1789, people in Paris, the capital of France, were very angry and scared. They were afraid the king would use soldiers to stop the National Assembly. Crowds of people marched to a prison called the Bastille. The Bastille was a symbol of the king's power and was believed to have political prisoners inside, though there were only a few. The people stormed the Bastille, freeing the prisoners and taking weapons. This event showed that the people were ready to fight for their freedom, and July 14 is still celebrated in France today as Bastille Day.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
In August 1789, the National Assembly made a document called the "Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen." This document said that all men are born free and equal. It promised freedom of speech, religion, and equal justice. The Declaration was a big change and showed that France was moving towards a fairer system.
The March on Versailles
In October 1789, thousands of women in Paris were angry because there was not enough bread, and the prices were too high. They marched to the king's palace in Versailles, about 12 miles from Paris. They were angry at the king and the queen, Marie Antoinette, who was known for her rich lifestyle. The women demanded bread and forced the king and his family to move to Paris, where they could keep a close watch on them. This showed that the people had power over the king.
France Becomes a Republic
In 1791, the National Assembly wrote a new constitution that limited the king's power. But many people still wanted more change. In 1792, the monarchy was abolished, and France became a republic, meaning the people would rule instead of a king. King Louis XVI was put on trial for treason (betraying his country) because he tried to escape and get help from other countries to stop the Revolution.
The Reign of Terror
In January 1793, King Louis XVI was found guilty and was executed by guillotine, a machine with a blade used for beheading. His death shocked Europe. France now had enemies inside and outside the country. Neighboring countries were afraid that the Revolution would spread and threaten their own kings, so they went to war with France.
Inside France, there was chaos. A group called the Jacobins, led by Maximilien Robespierre, took control. They were very strict and wanted to get rid of anyone who did not support the Revolution. This period was called the "Reign of Terror." Thousands of people, including Queen Marie Antoinette, were executed by guillotine. Even innocent people were not safe. Many people lived in fear until Robespierre himself was executed in 1794, ending the Reign of Terror.
The Rise of Napoleon
After the Reign of Terror, France was still unstable. The government was weak, and people wanted strong leadership. In 1799, a young military general named Napoleon Bonaparte seized power in a coup (a sudden takeover). He became the leader of France, ending the Revolution. Although Napoleon brought order and new laws to France, he also became an emperor later, turning France back into a type of monarchy. But he spread many of the Revolution's ideas across Europe, especially ideas about equality and justice.
The Legacy of the French Revolution
The French Revolution changed France and the world forever. It ended the monarchy and made people think about their rights. It inspired other countries to fight for freedom and democracy. Even today, people talk about liberty, equality, and fraternity, the values that the Revolution tried to achieve.
The Revolution was a hard and bloody time, but it showed the power of the people and made people believe in the possibility of a fairer society. Although it ended with Napoleon, the ideas of the French Revolution spread across Europe and helped shape the modern world.
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