Introduction

In the late 1780s, France was facing a dire economic crisis. The country was struggling with a costly war with Great Britain, years of royals spending money on unnecessary things, and a backward tax system that placed a heavy burden on the poor. King Louis XVI was struggling to maintain his authority, while the people of France were growing increasingly discontented. The situation was ripe for revolution, and in 1789, the people of France rose up to demand change.

Revolution Begins:

The Meeting of the Estates General in 1789 & the Tennis Court Oath

In 1789, France faced a financial crisis and King Louis XVI called a meeting of the Estates-General. The commoners demanded more representation and a greater say in the affairs of the nation. On June 20, the members of the Third Estate declared themselves the National Assembly and took the Tennis Court Oath, pledging to create a new constitution for France. The Tennis Court Oath marked the beginning of the French Revolution and challenged the authority of the king and the nobility.

The People Take Charge:

The Storming of the Bastille & the October Bread Riot

In 1789, France was in turmoil and people were angry at the monarchy. On July 14, Parisians broke into the Bastille. This symbolized the people's power over the king. Later that year, a group of women and soldiers stormed Versailles to demand bread. These events marked the beginning of the French Revolution, where people were determined to take charge of their own destiny and not be  treated unfairly.

Taking on the World:

Changed to France & War with Europe

The French Revolution was a major time of change in France where the people wanted to be in charge of their own lives. They did some pretty wild stuff like storming the Bastille and rioting for bread. After all that, France went through a lot of changes, like going from a monarchy to a republic, and then to an empire under Napoleon. This made France really powerful, but it also led to a lot of wars with other European countries. These wars lasted for over 20 years and ended with France losing and Napoleon being defeated. Even though France lost, the changes from the French Revolution still had a big impact on Europe.

The King Must Go:

Louis XVI's attempted escape & his execution

Louis XVI was the king of France during the French Revolution. In 1791, he attempted to escape from Paris with his family. They tried to escape by disguising themselves as servants, but they were recognized and they were brought back to the city. This event made his reputation worse because it showed everyone that he was not fit to rule. In 1793, Louis XVI was put on trial and he was found guilty of treason. He was executed by guillotine on January 21, 1793.