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Members of the Third Estate promised not to leave until they wrote a new constitution. This showed they were serious about changing France’s government. Their unity helped start the creation of the National Assembly and pushed the Revolution forward.
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Years of bad harvests and the king’s wasteful spending left France deep in debt. Many peasants went hungry and taxes kept rising. This financial crisis forced the king to look for new solutions, leading directly to the Estates‑General being called.
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The king called the Estates‑General to fix the financial crisis by approving new taxes. The unfair voting system gave more power to nobles and clergy than to the common people. This anger led the Third Estate to break away and form the National Assembly.
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Crowds in Paris attacked the Bastille prison looking for gunpowder and to free prisoners. It became a symbol of freedom and the fall of royal power. The event pushed fear through the country and led to uprisings in the countryside.
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Rumors spread that nobles were sending troops to crush peasant revolts. Peasants armed themselves, burned records of feudal dues, and attacked manors. This violence pushed the National Assembly to end feudal privileges to calm the people.
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The Assembly wrote this document to state that all men were free and equal and had natural rights. It was inspired by Enlightenment ideas and the American Revolution. These ideals later influenced France’s new constitution and laws.
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The king was found guilty of treason for working with France’s enemies. His death shocked Europe and proved the Revolution was no longer just about reform but about ending monarchy completely. This execution also led to the rise of the Reign of Terror.
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A new constitution gave France a limited monarchy instead of absolute power. The king kept his title but lost much of his authority. This compromise didn’t last long, as growing mistrust and outside threats soon led to war and radical change.
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Revolutionary leaders feared that Austria would help the French king restore power. Declaring war was meant to protect the Revolution and spread its ideas. Instead, it caused panic, unrest, and even more division inside France.
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The government used fear, trials, and executions to protect the Revolution from “enemies.” Thousands were killed, including nobles, priests, and revolutionaries. This extreme violence created resentment and made people want a more stable government.
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After Robespierre’s fall, a new government called the Directory took power with five leaders. It tried to bring order but stayed weak and corrupt. This instability opened the way for a strong military leader like Napoleon to gain control.
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Napoleon used his popularity and the army to take control of the government. He promised stability and unity after years of chaos. His takeover marked the end of the Revolution and the beginning of a new era under his rule.
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Napoleon crowned himself to show his power came from himself, not from the Church or tradition. His rule brought order, new laws like the Napoleonic Code, and expansion across Europe. His ambition for control, however, led to more wars.
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Napoleon invaded Russia but faced freezing weather, hunger, and attacks from Russian forces. His army was almost destroyed during the retreat. This loss hurt his power and gave his enemies a chance to rise against him.
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After escaping exile on Elba and briefly returning to power, Napoleon fought against British and Prussian armies at Waterloo. His defeat ended his rule and the Napoleonic era. This brought monarchy back to France and peace to Europe for a while.