The French Revolution
The French Revolution (1789-1799) was a period of profound political and social transformation in France. It was marked by the overthrow of the monarchy, the rise of radical political factions, and the establishment of the First French Republic. The revolution was driven by a combination of political, economic, and social factors. France's society was deeply unequal, with the clergy and nobility enjoying privileges while the commoners faced heavy taxation and poverty. Economic hardship, worsened by harvest failures and food shortages, added to the discontent. In May 1789, King Louis XVI convened the Estates-General, an assembly representing the three estates of French society: the clergy, nobility, and commoners. Dissatisfied with the lack of representation and their limited influence, the Third Estate declared themselves the National Assembly and vowed to draft a constitution. The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, by an enraged crowd became a symbol of popular uprising ...