A Turning Point in History
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a pivotal episode in European history. It marked the emergence of modern republicanism, introducing radical changes in governance and laying the groundwork for future revolutions around the world.
Key Factors Leading to Revolution
- Social Inequality: The rigid social stratification in French society, where the clergy and nobility held privileges at the expense of the Third Estate, fueled widespread discontent.
- Economic Hardship: Years of financial mismanagement, extravagant spending by the monarchy, and costly involvement in foreign wars had plunged France into severe debt.
- Intellectual Revolt: Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu inspired people to challenge the traditional structures of power with their ideas on freedom, equality, and citizen rights.
The Revolutionary Spark
Amidst this backdrop of social and economic turmoil, the Estates-General was convened in May 1789. The subsequent declaration of the National Assembly by the Third Estate marked the beginning of a series of radical events that would forever alter the French nation. Explore the timeline.