Topic Synthesis

Summary of the French Revolution

There were many factors that led to the French Revolution. Some of these included a corrupt government which abused its powers, increasing national debt due to involvement in the Seven Years War and the American Revolution and in general extravagant spending during the second half of the 18th Century. After conflicts over divisions of power in the Parlement , and National Assembly and the common people's division (the 'Third Estate") declared itself the true legislature in France. Then the complete reconfiguration of the finance ministry by King Louis XVI sent the public into a frenzy which sparked riots throughout Paris and on July 14th the mobs took control of the Bastille Fortress. Following this a constitutional monarchy was created, and amid the formation of political factions, King Louis XVI and the royal family attempted to flee. They were caught, arrested, and tried for treason and eventually executed, which would soon become a common death for many French people. The government came under the control of radicals such as Robespierre and the Reign of Terror began. Thousands of nobles and many others who were considered enemies of the state were executed. After the execution of Robespierre, the Directory was created and France was left in an extremely weakened state.