French Revolution
Definition
The French Revolution was a period of radical political and societal change in France from 1789 until 1799, marked by the collapse of Bourbon rule, rise of radical factions, reign of terror, and ultimately ending with Napoleon’s coup d’état.
Analogy
Imagine your school deciding one day that all rules are out the window. Students (the Third Estate) who were previously powerless now have control while teachers (the First Estate) and administrators (the Second Estate) lose their authority. There's chaos initially but eventually new systems emerge - this is akin to what happened during the French Revolution.
Related terms
Bourbon Monarchy: This was the ruling house in France before its downfall during the French Revolution.
Reign of Terror: A period during the French Revolution when suspected enemies of revolution were arrested or executed en masse.
Napoleon Bonaparte: He rose to power towards end of French Revolution, becoming ruler then Emperor of France.
"French Revolution" appears in:
Subjects (3)
Study guides (2)
Practice Questions (11)
What changes did the French Revolution bring about?
Which of the following was NOT a cause of the French Revolution?
What was a direct of consequence of the French revolution?
Before the French Revolution, the people of France were divided into three estates based mainly on their
What was the main cause of the French Revolution in 1789?
Which of the following statements accurately describes a similarity between the French Revolution and the Haitian Revolution?
Which factor influenced both the French Revolution in the late eighteenth century and revolutions in Latin America in the early nineteenth century?
How did the French Revolution differ from the American Revolution in terms of impact on social hierarchy?
Whose philosophical texts heavily influenced the drafting of legal systems during the French Revolution?
How did the causes of the American Revolution differ from those of the French Revolution?
What significant impact did the French Revolution have on the spread of nationalism in Europe during the late 18th century?
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