The main problem in France during the 1700s was inequality. E. Napp

French society was divided into three groups called estates. The high-ranking clergy and nobles made up the First and Second Estates. E. Napp

The Third Estate (professionals, peasants, and laborers) made up 97% of the French population. This group paid more than their share of taxes. E. Napp

The lawmaking body of France, the Estates General, represented all three estates. But this body rarely met and each estate had only one vote even though the Third Estate had more representatives. E. Napp

When King Louis XVI needed money, he called the Estates General into session. E. Napp

The Third Estate felt that each representative should be given a vote. When the First and Second Estates disagreed, the Third Estate withdrew and formed the National Assembly. E. Napp

On July 14, 1789, an angry crowd captured a fortress called the Bastille in Paris after the king threatened to arrest the leaders of the National Assembly. The French Revolution had begun. E. Napp

When the people stopped paying taxes, the government broke down. The king was forced to accept the revolutionary government led by the National Assembly. E. Napp

In August 1789, the National Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Citizen. It declared that “all men are born free and equal in rights.” E. Napp

Perhaps the Assembly’s most important work was the Constitution of It reformed the government by establishing a limited monarchy. E. Napp