Radical revolutionaries, supported by Paris crowds, took control of the Assembly in 1792 These radicals ended the monarchy, made France a republic, and wrote another constitution In 1793, they executed, or put to death, the king and queen for treason

By 1793, France was at war with most of Europe Within France peasants rioted for food, and revolutionary groups fought against each another To restore order, the new government set up the Committee of Public Safety, which had absolute power

Using a new invention, called the Guillotine, the Committee, led by Maximilien Robespierre, beheaded thousands of people for treason, even supporters of the revolution were sometimes killed to set an example Thousands more people were put in prison This period is called the Reign of Terror

By 1799, life in France had changed The Monarchy and the old class system were gone The government controlled the church –The French people began to feel proud of France »This feeling of pride is called Nationalism

The new government continued to make important reforms It set up school for children and organized a system to care for the poor Slavery in the French colonies ended Religious tolerance became the law

When the French Revolution started, Lt. Napoleon Bonaparte began to earn rapid promotions He led the French army in victories over Britain and Austria

A general by 1799, Napoleon helped to overthrow the French government He organized a new government and put himself in charge Five years later he took the title Emperor of the French At each step of his rise of power, the French voted their support