The French Revolution, which lasted from 1789 to 1799, was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France that profoundly impacted French and global history. It led to the downfall of the monarchy, the rise of secular and democratic principles, and significant changes in the structure of society.

Key Causes of the French Revolution:

1. Social Inequality: French society was divided into three estates. The First Estate (clergy) and the Second Estate (nobility) enjoyed significant privileges, while the Third Estate (commoners) bore the brunt of taxation and had little political power.

2. Economic Hardship: France faced a severe financial crisis due to excessive spending, costly wars, and a burdensome tax system that disproportionately affected the poor. Widespread famine and unemployment exacerbated the situation.

3. Enlightenment Ideas: Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu promoted ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity. Their writings inspired the Third Estate to challenge the established social and political order.

4. Weak Leadership: King Louis XVI’s indecisiveness and inability to address the financial crisis weakened the monarchy. His attempts at reform were too little, too late, and often faced strong opposition.

Major Events of the French Revolution:

1. Estates-General and National Assembly: In 1789, King Louis XVI convened the Estates-General to address the financial crisis. The Third Estate broke away to form the National Assembly, pledging to draft a new constitution.

2. Storming of the Bastille: On July 14, 1789, revolutionaries stormed the Bastille prison, symbolizing the end of royal tyranny and the beginning of popular revolt.

3. Reign of Terror: Led by Robespierre, the Committee of Public Safety launched the Reign of Terror (1793-1794) to eliminate perceived enemies of the revolution. Thousands were executed, including King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette.

4. Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte: The revolution culminated in the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, who seized power in 1799 through a coup d’état, ending the revolutionary period and eventually establishing the Napoleonic Empire.

### Impact of the French Revolution:

1. End of Monarchy: The revolution abolished the absolute monarchy and led to the establishment of a republic, promoting the idea of popular sovereignty.

2. Social Reforms: The revolution dismantled feudal privileges, promoted legal equality, and introduced reforms such as the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which espoused individual freedoms and rights.

3. Influence on the World: The French Revolution inspired subsequent revolutions and movements for democracy and human rights across Europe and the Americas, shaping modern political ideologies and systems.

The French Revolution remains a pivotal moment in history, symbolizing the struggle for equality, liberty, and democratic governance.