The French Revolution

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The French revolution “broke” Europe. The whole world changed once the effects of the revolution spread through Europe. The series of events that followed the revolution because of the revolution shapes the world today. The general population (the 3rd estate) had enough of absolutism. King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette were unpopular. This resulted from multiple things including England humiliating France in the Seven Years War, rising food prices (Hart-Davis 302). They had also been the laughing stock of France due to the fact that they couldn’t have a child for years and Louis XIV was short and fat, not necessarily fitting the mold of a king. They didn’t like Marie Antoinette because of her various, expensive indulgences while her country was starving (The French Revolution). The revolution started in 1789 when the 3rd estate decided they had had enough of the system. The Legislative Assembly was formed out of the National Assembly which was formed to reform France. The Legislative Assembly functioned with the king in power as a constitutional monarchy until August 10, 1792 when a mob forced Louis XVI out of his home (Betts). The Assembly declared war on Austria and Prussia (Betts), both of which also fought in the Seven Years War (Hart-Davis 298). In 1792 France was established as a republic and the terror began. Danton and Robespierre gained power and all enemies were suppressed. The two major political parties, the Girodins and the Jacobans fought for power which was won by the Jacobans led by Robespierre. The Girodins had more moderate views of the revolution while the Jacobans wanted radical change. Robespierre was executed in July of 1794 and a new constitution fell into place. A new government was set up for the... ... middle of paper ... ...71. Print. Lecuna, Vicente, and Harold A. Bierck. Selected Writings of Bolivar. New York: Colonial, 1951. Print. Pennington, Ken. "Innocent Until Proven Guilty: The Origins of a Legal Maxim." Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Syracuse University, n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2014. . Robinson, James Harvey. Readings in European History. Boston, New York [etc.: Ginn and, 1906. Print. Samuel, Henry. "Vendée French Call for Revolution Massacre to Be Termed 'genocide'" The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 26 Dec. 2008. Web. 05 Jan. 2014. . "Serfdom." Serfdom. Princeton University, n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2014. .

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