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Feb 11, 2026

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3 pages

Discover the French Revolution: Causes, Timeline, and Leaders!

Jeanie DeSantis

@jeaniedesantis_xoyn

The French Revolution and its aftermath, including Napoleon's rise and... Show more

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Previously, The Enlightenment.
Impact of The Enlightenment
-Citizens became more aware of their righte
"revolutions became an option to over

The Enlightenment's Influence and the Causes of the French Revolution

The French Revolution was deeply influenced by Enlightenment ideas, which challenged traditional authority and promoted concepts of individual rights and equality. This intellectual movement played a crucial role in shaping the revolutionary mindset.

How did the Enlightenment influence the French Revolution? The Enlightenment:

Promoted opposition to absolute rulers
Encouraged resentment towards the corrupt French Catholic Church
Fostered a desire for rights, freedom, and equality

Quote: "All men are free & equal before the law" - This principle, derived from Enlightenment thinking, became a cornerstone of revolutionary ideology.

5 causes of the French Revolution included:

Unequal taxation system
Government debts and overspending
Famine and starvation
Influence of the Enlightenment
Social inequality represented by the Estates system

Highlight: The Third Estate, comprising 75-85% of the population, bore the brunt of taxation while the clergy and nobility were largely exempt.

The French Revolution timeline began with the formation of the National Assembly in 1789, which voted to abolish all privileges and issued the Declaration of the Rights of Man.

Example: The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, marked a turning point in the revolution, as citizens sought food and supplies but ended up killing the guards when they found nothing.

When did the French Revolution start and end? The revolution began in 1789 with the formation of the National Assembly and is generally considered to have ended in 1799 with Napoleon's coup d'état, though some extend it to include Napoleon's rule until 1815.

The Stages of the French Revolution and Napoleon's Rise

The French Revolution progressed through several distinct stages, each characterized by different forms of government and levels of radicalization.

The National Assembly (1789-1791)
- Established by the Third Estate
- Abolished privileges and issued the Declaration of Rights of Man
- Created a new constitution establishing a limited monarchy
The Reign of Terror (1793-1794)
- 10-month period of extreme violence and repression
- Led by the Committee of Public Safety under Maximilien Robespierre
- Approximately 40,000 people were executed

Highlight: The Reign of Terror saw the pursuit of a policy of de-Christianization and the introduction of a new revolutionary calendar.

The Directory (1795-1799)
- Ended the Reign of Terror
- Established a new constitution with five elected directors
- Relied heavily on the military, setting the stage for Napoleon's rise

Napoleon's Rise to Power

1796: Became commander in Italy at age 24
1797: Returned to France as a hero
1799: Overthrew the Directory in a coup d'état

Example: Napoleon's failed Egyptian campaign in 1798-1799 paradoxically increased his popularity in France, as the public remained unaware of the defeat.

The French Revolution and Napoleon pdf resources often highlight how Napoleon preserved some revolutionary principles while establishing a centralized, authoritarian regime.

Napoleon's rule brought significant changes:

Centralized administrative system
Meritocracy in public offices and military
Codification of laws (Napoleonic Code)
Peace with the Church

Definition: The Napoleonic Code was a comprehensive reform of the French legal system, incorporating Enlightenment principles and ensuring equality before the law.

Effects of the French Revolution continued under Napoleon, including the spread of revolutionary ideals across Europe through his conquests.

The French Revolution and Napoleon: Causes, Stages, and Impact

The French Revolution was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France that began in 1789 and ended in the late 1790s with the ascent of Napoleon Bonaparte. This pivotal event in European history was influenced by Enlightenment ideas and had far-reaching consequences.

Why did the French Revolution start? The revolution was triggered by a combination of factors:

Unequal taxation system
Financial crisis and government debt
Food shortages and high bread prices
Influence of Enlightenment ideas

The French Revolution timeline can be divided into five main stages:

The National Assembly (1789-1791)
Legislative Assembly and War (1791-1792)
National Convention and Reign of Terror (1792-1795)
The Directory (1795-1799)
Napoleon's Dictatorship (1799-1815)

Highlight: The revolution began with the formation of the National Assembly by the Third Estate, challenging the existing power structure.

Vocabulary: The "Estates" referred to the three main social classes in pre-revolutionary France: clergy (First Estate), nobility (Second Estate), and commoners (Third Estate).

Who led the French Revolution? Various figures played crucial roles at different stages, including members of the Third Estate, Maximilien Robespierre during the Reign of Terror, and eventually Napoleon Bonaparte.

Example: The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, became a symbolic act of revolution against the monarchy.

Effects of the French Revolution included:

Abolition of the monarchy and feudal system
Establishment of a republic
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
Reforms in law, education, and administration

Definition: The "Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen" was a fundamental document of the French Revolution that defined the individual and collective rights of all estates of the realm as universal.

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Feb 11, 2026

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3 pages

Discover the French Revolution: Causes, Timeline, and Leaders!

Jeanie DeSantis

@jeaniedesantis_xoyn

The French Revolution and its aftermath, including Napoleon's rise and fall, marked a pivotal period in European history. This era saw significant social, political, and economic changes that reshaped France and influenced the rest of Europe. The revolution was driven... Show more

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The Enlightenment's Influence and the Causes of the French Revolution

How did the Enlightenment influence the French Revolution? The Enlightenment:

Promoted opposition to absolute rulers
Encouraged resentment towards the corrupt French Catholic Church
Fostered a desire for rights, freedom, and equality

Quote: "All men are free & equal before the law" - This principle, derived from Enlightenment thinking, became a cornerstone of revolutionary ideology.

5 causes of the French Revolution included:

Unequal taxation system
Government debts and overspending
Famine and starvation
Influence of the Enlightenment
Social inequality represented by the Estates system

Highlight: The Third Estate, comprising 75-85% of the population, bore the brunt of taxation while the clergy and nobility were largely exempt.

The French Revolution timeline began with the formation of the National Assembly in 1789, which voted to abolish all privileges and issued the Declaration of the Rights of Man.

Example: The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, marked a turning point in the revolution, as citizens sought food and supplies but ended up killing the guards when they found nothing.

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

The Stages of the French Revolution and Napoleon's Rise

The French Revolution progressed through several distinct stages, each characterized by different forms of government and levels of radicalization.

The National Assembly (1789-1791)
- Established by the Third Estate
- Abolished privileges and issued the Declaration of Rights of Man
- Created a new constitution establishing a limited monarchy
The Reign of Terror (1793-1794)
- 10-month period of extreme violence and repression
- Led by the Committee of Public Safety under Maximilien Robespierre
- Approximately 40,000 people were executed

Highlight: The Reign of Terror saw the pursuit of a policy of de-Christianization and the introduction of a new revolutionary calendar.

The Directory (1795-1799)
- Ended the Reign of Terror
- Established a new constitution with five elected directors
- Relied heavily on the military, setting the stage for Napoleon's rise

Napoleon's Rise to Power

1796: Became commander in Italy at age 24
1797: Returned to France as a hero
1799: Overthrew the Directory in a coup d'état

Example: Napoleon's failed Egyptian campaign in 1798-1799 paradoxically increased his popularity in France, as the public remained unaware of the defeat.

The French Revolution and Napoleon pdf resources often highlight how Napoleon preserved some revolutionary principles while establishing a centralized, authoritarian regime.

Napoleon's rule brought significant changes:

Centralized administrative system
Meritocracy in public offices and military
Codification of laws (Napoleonic Code)
Peace with the Church

Definition: The Napoleonic Code was a comprehensive reform of the French legal system, incorporating Enlightenment principles and ensuring equality before the law.

Effects of the French Revolution continued under Napoleon, including the spread of revolutionary ideals across Europe through his conquests.

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

The French Revolution and Napoleon: Causes, Stages, and Impact

Why did the French Revolution start? The revolution was triggered by a combination of factors:

Unequal taxation system
Financial crisis and government debt
Food shortages and high bread prices
Influence of Enlightenment ideas

The French Revolution timeline can be divided into five main stages:

The National Assembly (1789-1791)
Legislative Assembly and War (1791-1792)
National Convention and Reign of Terror (1792-1795)
The Directory (1795-1799)
Napoleon's Dictatorship (1799-1815)

Highlight: The revolution began with the formation of the National Assembly by the Third Estate, challenging the existing power structure.

Vocabulary: The "Estates" referred to the three main social classes in pre-revolutionary France: clergy (First Estate), nobility (Second Estate), and commoners (Third Estate).

Example: The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, became a symbolic act of revolution against the monarchy.

Effects of the French Revolution included:

Abolition of the monarchy and feudal system
Establishment of a republic
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
Reforms in law, education, and administration

Definition: The "Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen" was a fundamental document of the French Revolution that defined the individual and collective rights of all estates of the realm as universal.