The French Revolution

Painting of a typical tri-color flag
Louis-Léopold Boilly (1761–1845)

Enlightenment ideas and the success of the American Revolution inspired the French people to view their government in new ways. The Third Estate, which was made of the majority of the population, was unhappy with the government and struggling economically. They were also responsible for paying all of the taxes to support the kingdom. As their movement evolved into a revolution, they stormed the Bastille, a symbol of royal tyranny, freeing political prisoners and acquiring weapons.

After being locked out of the government, the members of the Third Estate in the Estates General formed the National Assembly and overthrew the absolute monarch of Louis XVI, who was eventually executed. A new Committee of Public Safety was formed with Robespierre in charge. This was the onset of the Reign of Terror, a period when people suffered more than they did under the king. The people turned against Robespierre, who was arrested and executed. Napoleon Bonaparte, who was the general in charge of the post-revolutionary army, was a masterful military tactician. In 1799, he overthrew the government and installed himself as the military dictator.