Introduction

The outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789 marked a significant turning point in world history. It was the culmination of social, political, and economic grievances that had built up over decades, leading to a radical transformation of French society.

1. Financial Crisis

By the late 1780s, France was in severe financial distress. The government faced enormous debt due to:

• Costly Wars: Participation in the American War of Independence and other conflicts drained the treasury.
• Extravagant Spending: The lavish lifestyle of the monarchy, particularly King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, exacerbated financial woes.
• Taxation Issues: The burden of taxes fell disproportionately on the Third Estate, leading to widespread discontent.

2. Estates-General and the Rise of the Third Estate

In May 1789, King Louis XVI convened the Estates-General, a general assembly representing the three estates, to address the financial crisis. However, the Third Estate, representing the common people, was frustrated by their lack of power and representation:

• Voting System: Each estate had one vote, which meant that the privileged First and Second Estates could easily outvote the Third Estate.
• Formation of the National Assembly: On June 17, 1789, the Third Estate proclaimed itself the National Assembly, asserting that they represented the French people.

3. The Tennis Court Oath

On June 20, 1789, members of the National Assembly were locked out of their meeting hall. They reconvened in a nearby tennis court, where they took the Tennis Court Oath, pledging not to disband until a new constitution was established. This act symbolized their commitment to a democratic framework for governance.

4. Storming of the Bastille

The symbolic event marking the outbreak of the revolution occurred on July 14, 1789, when revolutionaries stormed the Bastille, a fortress prison in Paris:

• Symbol of Tyranny: The Bastille was seen as a symbol of royal tyranny, and its storming represented the uprising against oppression.
• Impact: This event galvanized the revolution, leading to widespread uprisings across France and the collapse of royal authority in many regions.

5. The Great Fear

Following the storming of the Bastille, a wave of panic known as the Great Fear swept through the French countryside in July and August 1789. Peasants, fearing retaliation from the nobility, attacked noble estates and destroyed feudal documents. This period marked the breakdown of feudal authority and increased revolutionary fervor among the common people.

6. Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

On August 26, 1789, the National Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, which articulated the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity. This document laid the foundation for a new French society based on the rights of individuals, challenging the traditional hierarchical structure.

7. Response from the Monarchy

The revolutionary movements prompted a defensive reaction from King Louis XVI and the royal family. They initially attempted to quell the unrest but ultimately fled from Paris, an act perceived as a betrayal, further inciting revolutionary sentiments.

8. Spread of Revolutionary Ideas

The revolutionary ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity quickly spread beyond France’s borders, inspiring uprisings in other parts of Europe and influencing global revolutionary movements. The upheaval in France would lead to a series of events that fundamentally altered the political landscape of Europe and the world.