French intellectuals and the bourgeoisie supported Enlightenment ideas.
Economic crisis
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French estate was bankrupt as a result of the participation in the American War of Independence.
Political crisis
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The Estates General brought together representatives of the three estates of de Realm to advise the king on important issues, such as tax increases.
- Clergy and nobility had 300 representatives.
-Middle class and peasantry had 600 representatives.
Social Crisis
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Nobility and Clergy wanted to protect their traditional economic privileges. They refused to pay taxes.
Middle class and the peasantry were also discontented.
Major event of the French Revolution
National Assembly
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the third Estate proposed a new voting system in which each representative would have an individual vote. The King refused .
Third Estate declared themselves the true representatives of the nation.
Legislative Assembly
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The Girondins (they were more moderate).
The Jacobins (they were more radical).
The Directory and the Consulate
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By 1795, France moderate middle class, gained more control over the country. They established the Directory (more conservative government composed by 5 members).
In 1799 Napoleon Bonaparte, gained power and create the Consulate(was a group of three leaders)
Constituent Assembly
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The king agreed to the Third Estate´s demands. At the same time on the 14th july 1789 they attacked the Bastille.
The Convention
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King Louis XVI was accused of treason and then executed
This was happening under the leadership of Robespierre. The Jacobins persecuted and executed about 42.000 counter- revolutionaries