1. The French Revolution 1789-1799

2. Lower and middle classes were dissatisfied with society

4. The third estate paid all the taxes.

5. Frances king was an absolute monarch He ruled by divine right (the idea that God gave him the right to rule)

6. People like Locke and Rousseau challenged this idea

7. Too many wars caused financial problems in France

8. In 1789 a meeting was held with representative from all three estates

9. The third estate had more representative (more people in this class), so they wanted a national assembly with each representative having one vote

10. They also wanted a Constitution They met and refused to disband until a Constitution was written

11. The assembly passed two decrees in 1789 – they limited advantages of upper class and provided basic rights to all people

12. They also wrote a constitution and re- organized the Catholic Church in France

13. When the first new National Assembly took over they had many challenges Louis XIV wouldnt cooperate and they were engaged in wars

14. In 1792, Louis XIV was removed from power, imprisoned, and then executed

15. After Louis XIV was executed the Jacobins took over

16. The Jacobins governed France by taking away civil rights and freedom 18,000 people received death sentences

17. The period became known as the Reign of Terror

18. However, the Jacobins also followed democratic principles and extended rights to everyone

19. Eventually the Jacobins were overthrown and replaced with a new government

20. Unrest continued until Napoleon seized control of the government in 1799

21. Other European monarchs worried about their power

22. Laid the foundations for a unified state, strong central government, and a free society dominated by the middle class

23. Inspired other people to seek democracy and independence (ex. In Latin America)