Britannica
The growing popularity of the works of a number of intellectuals who argued for social reform
Crop failures in 1788 compounded existing economic restlessness
French participation in the American Revolution that drove the government to the brink of bankruptcy
Resentment among the bourgeoisie about being excluded from political power
The French monarchy, no longer seen as divinely ordained, was unable to adapt to the political and societal pressures being exerted on it
Widespread inequality between the rich and poor classes alongside growing dissatisfaction with the antiquated feudal system among the poor
OUTCOMES
Establishment of a republic in France
Establishment of civil equality in the country (but not in the French colonies) and radical social change
The Reign of Terror, during which the Revolutionary government arrested 300,000 suspects, resulting in at least 25,000 deaths
The abolition of feudalism in France
The abolition of the monarchy and the deaths of King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette
The rise to power of Napoleon Bonaparte
Wars with a number of other countries, including Austria, Prussia, and Great Britain
KEY PEOPLE
Georges Danton
Jacques-Louis David
Marie-Thérèse-Louise de Savoie-Carignan, princess de Lamballe
Louis XVI
Marie-Antoinette
Honoré-Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau
Napoleon I
Maximilien Robespierre
Louis de Saint-Just
Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand, prince de Bénévent
RELATED TOPICS
Ancien régime
Aristocracy
Émigré
French republican calendar
Guillotine
