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Class Notes 1 History - The French

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Class Notes 1 History - The French

Uploaded by

raihan.sign
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Class Notes 1: History - The French Revolution

Causes:
The French Revolution (1789-1799) was driven by various long-standing social,
political, and economic issues. The rigid class system divided society into three
estates: the clergy (First Estate), the nobility (Second Estate), and the common
people (Third Estate), who bore the tax burden. Enlightenment thinkers like
Rousseau and Voltaire promoted ideas of equality and democracy, inspiring
discontent. France faced severe financial crises due to wars, extravagant royal
spending, and crop failures leading to famine.

Key Events:
In 1789, King Louis XVI convened the Estates-General, where the Third Estate
declared itself the National Assembly, marking the revolution's start. The storming
of the Bastille on July 14 symbolized rebellion. By 1791, the monarchy was limited,
but radical factions gained control, leading to King Louis XVI's execution in 1793.
Robespierre’s Reign of Terror followed, with mass executions of "enemies of the
revolution."

Outcomes:
The revolution ended the monarchy, established the French Republic, and promoted
equality before the law. However, instability led to Napoleon Bonaparte's rise in
1799, spreading revolutionary ideals across Europe. The revolution left a lasting
legacy on modern political and social structures.

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