French Revolution
                     French 
Revolution
Introduction
The French Revolution was a 
watershed event in modern 
European history that began in 1789 
and ended in the late 1790s with the 
ascent of Napoleon Bonaparte. 
Source: www.history.com
Political 
landscape
During this period, French citizens 
razed and redesigned their country’s 
political landscape, uprooting 
centuries-old institutions such as 
absolute monarchy and the feudal 
system. 
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Shaping modern 
nations
Although it failed to achieve all of its 
goals and at times degenerated into 
a chaotic bloodbath, the French 
Revolution played a critical role in 
shaping modern nations by showing 
the world the power inherent in the 
will of the people.
Source: www.history.com
Causes of the 
French Revolution
Bankruptcy
As the 18th century drew to a close, 
France’s costly involvement in the 
American Revolution, and 
extravagant spending by King Louis 
XVI and his predecessor, had left the 
country on the brink of bankruptcy.
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Skyrocketing 
Prices
Not only were the royal coffers 
depleted, but two decades of poor 
harvests, drought, cattle disease and 
skyrocketing bread prices had 
kindled unrest among peasants and 
the urban poor. 
Many expressed their desperation 
and resentment toward a regime 
that imposed heavy taxes—yet 
failed to provide any relief—by 
rioting, looting and striking.
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Financial reform
In the fall of 1786, Louis XVI’s 
controller general, Charles Alexandre 
de Calonne, proposed a financial 
reform package that included a 
universal land tax from which the 
privileged classes would no longer 
be exempt.
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Financial reform 
cont.
To garner support for these 
measures and forestall a growing 
aristocratic revolt, the king 
summoned the Estates-General (les 
états généraux) – an assembly 
representing France’s clergy, nobility 
and middle class – for the first time 
since 1614.
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French 
Revolution Turns 
Radical
In April 1792, the newly elected 
Legislative Assembly declared war 
on Austria and Prussia, where it 
believed that French émigrés were 
building counterrevolutionary 
alliances; it also hoped to spread its 
revolutionary ideals across Europe 
through warfare.
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Reign of Terror
In June 1793, the Jacobins seized 
control of the National Convention 
from the more moderate Girondins 
and instituted a series of radical 
measures, including the 
establishment of a new calendar and 
the eradication of Christianity.
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End of French 
Revolution
On August 22, 1795, the National 
Convention, composed largely of 
Girondins who had survived the 
Reign of Terror, approved a new 
constitution that created France’s 
first bicameral legislature.
Source: www.history.com