The French Revolution was a major transformation of the society and political system of France, it lasted from the years 1789 to 1799. During the course of the French Revolution, France was transformed temporarily from the absolute monarchy that had ruled for ages, where the king had all power, to a republic of free elightened and equal citizens. The effects of the French were one that resulted in it being one of the most important events in the history of Europe.
Before the Revolution there were three classes, The first estate which made up one percent of the population was made up of Catholic clergy. This class had much say and control over government decisions. The second estate was made up of nobles and consisted of two percent of the population. They were also powerful but did not have as much say as the Catholic Clergy. The third and last estate housed merchants, commoners, peasants and farmers, they made up ninety-eight percent of the France's population. The third estate was the poorest, they had to pay the most taxes, which was almost fifty percent, While the other two classes got some leeway when it came to payment of taxes. There were reasons beyond unfair taxation that led to the French Revolution, like Poor Economic Situations, High Unemployment and high bread prices as well as the king at the time of the French Revolution was weak.
The French Revolution was greatly effected by the enlightenment and the great thinkers behind it. The Enlightenment and liberal thought which Voltaire and Diderot emphasized such as. Toleration and Natural rights. The 3rd estate took this things in consideration when they realized that there needed to be a changed in France because after all the Revolution was thus a battle to achieve equality and remove oppression.
On July 14, 1789 an angry French mob stormed the Bastille. Located in Paris, the Bastille was a prison, housing a dozen prisoners at the time. However, rumors flew through Paris that there were guns and firearms stored there to overthrow the new National Assembly. They were very suspicious of the king and his intentions. When word spread that the King's troops stood around the city of Paris, angry residents looked toward the Bastille. In the morning of July 14, 1789, people gathered outside the prison. As the mob came forward the Bastille, there came orders to open fire. One hundred Parisians were killed when they did. Realizing the numbers the warden surrendered, and the king withdrew the troops, and so the dawn of an era.
