French Revolution
For other uses, see French Revolution (disambiguation).
The French Revolution[a] was a period of political and societal
change in France that began with the Estates General of 1789, and
ended with the coup of 18 Brumaire in November 1799 and the
formation of the French Consulate. Many of its ideas are considered
fundamental principles of liberal democracy,[1] while its values and
institutions remain central to modern French political discourse.[2]
French Revolution
Part of the Atlantic Revolutions
The Storming of the Bastille, 14 July 1789
5 May 1789 – 9 November 1799
Date
(10 years, 6 months, and 4 days)
Location Kingdom of France
Abolition of the Ancien régime and creation of
constitutional monarchy
Proclamation of the French First Republic in September
1792
Outcome Reign of Terror and execution of Louis XVI
French Revolutionary Wars
Establishment of the French Consulate in November
1799
:
Its causes are generally agreed to be a combination of social,
political, and economic factors, which the Ancien Régime proved
unable to manage. A financial crisis and widespread social distress
led in May 1789 to the convocation of the Estates General, which
was converted into a National Assembly in June. The Storming of the
Bastille on 14 July led to a series of radical measures by the
Assembly, among them the abolition of feudalism, state control over
the Catholic Church in France, and a declaration of rights.
The next three years were dominated by the struggle for political
control, exacerbated by economic depression. Military defeats
following the outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars in April 1792
resulted in the insurrection of 10 August 1792. The monarchy was
replaced by the French First Republic in September, while Louis XVI
was executed in January 1793.
After another revolt in June 1793, the constitution was suspended,
and adequate political power passed from the National Convention to
the Committee of Public Safety. About 16,000 people were executed
in a Reign of Terror, which ended in July 1794. Weakened by external
threats and internal opposition, the Republic was replaced in 1795 by
the Directory. Four years later, in 1799, the Consulate seized power
in a military coup led by Napoleon Bonaparte. This is generally seen
as marking the end of the Revolutionary period.
Causes
Crisis of the Ancien Régime
Constitutional monarchy (July 1789 –
September 1792)
First Republic (1792–1795)
:
The Directory (1795–1799)
Role of ideology
Media and symbolism
Role of women
Economic policies
Impact
Historiography
See also
Notes
References
Further reading
External links
:
