"The French Revolution [...] began with the Estates General of 1789, and ended with the formation of the French Consulate in November 1799."
A period of radical social and political upheaval in France from 1789 to 1799 that had a significant impact on modern history. It began with the storming of the Bastille and ended with the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Causes of French Revolution: The various factors that contributed to the outbreak of the French Revolution, including economic, social, and political factors.
Reign of Terror: A period during the French Revolution characterized by a wave of mass executions and violent repression.
The Estates System: The social hierarchy that existed in France before the Revolution, which divided the people into three estates based on their occupations.
The National Assembly: A group of representatives from the Third Estate who formed an assembly in 1789 to address the grievances of the people and ultimately draft a new constitution.
Maximilien Robespierre: A French revolutionary leader who was one of the chief architects of the Reign of Terror.
Napoleon Bonaparte: A military leader who rose to prominence during the Revolution and eventually became Emperor of France.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen: A document adopted by the National Assembly in 1789 that declared the rights of French citizens and was modeled after the American Declaration of Independence.
The French Revolution and Women: The role of women in the Revolution, including their participation in protests and their demands for greater rights and equality.
The French Revolution and Colonialism: The impact of the Revolution on France's colonies, including the debate over slavery and the spread of revolutionary ideas to other parts of the world.
The French Revolution and the Arts: The influence of the Revolution on the arts, including the development of revolutionary propaganda and the rise of Romanticism.
The Storming of the Bastille: The event that is often considered the start of the French Revolution, in which a crowd stormed the Bastille prison in Paris.
The French Revolution and Religion: The role of religion in the Revolution, including the confiscation of church property and the adoption of a new "Cult of Reason.".
The French Revolution and the Enlightenment: The relationship between the ideas of the Enlightenment and the political and social changes brought about by the Revolution.
The Directory: The government that came to power in France after the fall of Robespierre and the end of the Reign of Terror, characterized by corruption and instability.
The French Revolution and the Middle Class: The rise of the middle class during the Revolution and their role in shaping French society and politics.
The French Revolution and the Monarchy: The role of the monarchy in the Revolution, including the eventual execution of King Louis XVI and the establishment of a republic.
The French Revolution and the Military: The military campaigns of the Revolution, including the wars with other European powers and the rise of military leaders like Napoleon Bonaparte.
The French Revolution and the Environment: The impact of the Revolution on the natural world, including the destruction of monuments and the spread of revolutionary ideals to other countries.
The French Revolution and Education: The reforms implemented in the education system during the Revolution, including the establishment of a secular system of education.
The French Revolution and the Press: The role of the press in shaping public opinion during the Revolution and the use of media as a tool of propaganda.
The Moderate Phase (1789-1792): This is the earliest period when the National Assembly and Constituent Assembly attempted to create a constitutional monarchy and reform the Old Regime.
The Radical Phase (1792-1794): The establishment of the First French Republic and the Reign of Terror during which Robespierre emerged as a powerful figure.
The Thermidorian Reaction (1794-1795): This period was characterized by the downfall of Robespierre and the end of the Reign of Terror.
The Directory (1795-1799): A period of instability marked by the establishment of a weak executive government in France, societal conflicts and military campaigns.
The Napoleonic Era (1799-1815): A period of authoritarian rule with Napoleon Bonaparte in power, characterized by rapid economic development, military conquests and the Napoleonic Code.
"Many of its ideas are considered fundamental principles of liberal democracy."
"Its causes are generally agreed to be a combination of social, political and economic factors."
"In May 1789, widespread social distress led to the convocation of the Estates General."
"Continuing unrest culminated in the Storming of the Bastille on 14 July."
"...the abolition of feudalism, the imposition of state control over the Catholic Church in France, and extension of the right to vote."
"Austria, Britain, Prussia and other external powers sought to restore the Ancien Régime by force."
"Many French politicians saw war as the best way to unite the nation and preserve the revolution by exporting it to other countries."
"Following the Paris-based Insurrection of 31 May – 2 June 1793, the constitution was suspended and effective political power passed from the National Convention to the more radical Committee of Public Safety."
"An estimated 16,000 'counter-revolutionaries' were executed during the subsequent Reign of Terror."
"The Reign of Terror [...] ended with the so-called Thermidorian Reaction in July 1794."
"Weakened by a combination of external threats and internal opposition, in November 1795 the Republic was replaced by the Directory."
"The Consulate seized power in a military coup led by Napoleon Bonaparte."
"This is generally seen as marking the end of the Revolutionary period."
"The next three years were dominated by the struggle for political control, exacerbated by economic depression and civil disorder."
"The French Revolutionary Wars in April 1792, abolition of the French monarchy."
"...followed by the execution of Louis XVI in January 1793."
"Following the Paris-based Insurrection of 31 May – 2 June 1793, the constitution was suspended and effective political power passed from the National Convention to the more radical Committee of Public Safety."
"[...] the values and institutions it created remain central to French political discourse."
"...the abolition of feudalism, the imposition of state control over the Catholic Church in France, and extension of the right to vote."