The French Revolution

The French Revolution

The French Revolution (1789-1799) was a time when people wanted their ideas to be spread. This event was after the Enlightenment in France. The middle class also known as the third estate wanted more control over the government, but they weren't receiving any attention. After the Assembly, the third estate was locked out and they revolted.

It all started when King Louis XVI was in control ruling as an absolute monarchy, the second and third estate felt that they weren't getting their ideas into the government. The third estate was very poor and they only held very limited power , while King Louis held all the power. So it seemed that King Louis finally noticed the three estates, so he called a meeting with the second and first estates , but the whole meeting was about how King Louis could raise money. When the second estate started asking questions about their very small power, King Louis called the meeting off and adjourned everyone.

The second and third estate still wanted their ideas and their rights. Most of them signed a document that stated "they would not leave unless they came up with a paper stating all of their ideas". After being on the tennis court for more than a few days, King Louis was forced to take notice of the two estates. King Louis was willing to give the two estates some of what they wanted. The two estates were worried and did not trust what King Louis had to say.

They did the only thing they thought they could do and revolt the attacked prisons and forts to get supplies and weapons and they were revolting against what the government said. King Louis began to get scared, so he and his family fled France. The riots were still going on. The citizens started their own government.

After a while someone at the country border noticed King Louis and his family trying too flee the country. He was brought back to France with his power completely stripped from him. The country that he was fleeing to saw the revolution as a terrible thing. This began an attack on France to try to get the country of France back in order.

The French thought that King Louis had asked for help while in Austria so he and his family were beheaded and their heads were put on display, four years after being captured. So with the monarchy eliminated, France could form another better government.