2. Do you know there was a French Revolution? “Liberty! Equality! Fraternity!” This slogan echoed through France in 1789 as the hungry French people overthrew the rich noblemen!

3. How did the Revolution Start? Louis XVI had bankrupt France They helped America win their independence Instead of raising taxes (like King George did with the American colonists), the people seized power In Paris, they stormed the Bastille Prison (the symbol of royal power) In 1792, the people made France a Republic…

4. Storm the Bastille July 14, 1789 The cost to run the prison was HUGE! (There were only 7 prisoners there at the time) 99 died!

5. King & Queen Louis XVIMarie Antoinette

6. A Reign of Terror followed… Marie Antoinette (Queen of France) was taken by the “Mob” The king and queen were held prisoners The king was executed by the guillotine first Antoinette was cruelly treated, her children taken from her, her best friend’s head severed, put on a pole, and parade in front of her! Finally, she, too, was sent to the guillotine.

7. The execution of King Louis XVI

8. A new Republic takes power in 1795… In 1799, a military takeover put Napoleon in power and ended the Revolution What about the guillotine? It was designed as a “merciful” beheading device that replaced the clumsy sword; a heavy blade slides down in vertical guides…the head, plopping into the basket below.

9. Napoleon Bonaparte

10. Why is this important in US History? The French people were heavily influenced by the American Revolution. They felt that they could overthrow the Monarch They were instrumental in our victory over the British in the Revolution.