### Title
**"French Revolution (फ्रांसीसी क्रांति)"**
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#### 1️⃣ Background & Causes
* The French Revolution began in **1789**, reshaping France and inspiring the modern world.
* Long-term causes included:
* **Social inequality**: French society was divided into three *Estates*:
* **First Estate**: Clergy (enjoyed privileges, paid no taxes).
* **Second Estate**: Nobility (owned land, collected feudal dues, exempt from many taxes).
* **Third Estate**: Peasants, workers, and the bourgeoisie (paid heavy taxes, faced feudal dues and tithes).
* **Economic crisis**: Rising population, high prices, stagnant wages, poor harvests, and widespread famine.
* **Financial bankruptcy**: Costly wars (e.g., support for American War of Independence), lavish royal spending, and an inefficient tax system.
* **Enlightenment ideas**: Philosophers like Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Voltaire promoted liberty, equality, and fraternity.
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#### 2️⃣ Immediate Trigger
* In **1789**, King **Louis XVI**, facing financial trouble, called the **Estates-General** (first time since 1614).
* Dispute arose over voting: nobles & clergy wanted one vote per Estate, while the Third Estate demanded voting "by head."
* On **20 June 1789**, Third Estate deputies formed the **National Assembly** (Tennis Court Oath), vowing to frame a constitution.
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#### 3️⃣ Outbreak of Revolution
* On **14 July 1789**, Paris citizens stormed the **Bastille** prison, symbol of royal oppression — marking the start of the Revolution.
* Peasants revolted in rural areas, destroying feudal records and manors ("Great Fear").
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#### 4️⃣ Abolition of Feudalism & Declaration of Rights
* On the night of **4 August 1789**, feudal privileges, tithes, and the Church's special rights were abolished.
* In **August 1789**, the **Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen** proclaimed:
* Liberty, equality, fraternity.
* Rights to property, security, and resistance to oppression.
* Government to protect citizens' natural rights.
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#### 5️⃣ The 1791 Constitution & Monarchy's Fall
* A new **Constitution (1791)** established a **constitutional monarchy**:
* King became head of state but laws were made by the Legislative Assembly.
* Citizens were classified as "active" (tax-paying males over 25) and "passive."
* Women demanded equality but were denied full political rights (e.g., Olympe de Gouges' *Declaration of the Rights of Woman*).
* In 1791, the King tried to flee (Flight to Varennes), eroding public trust.
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#### 6️⃣ From Monarchy to Republic
* Economic hardship and war with Austria & Prussia radicalized politics.
* On **10 August 1792**, revolutionaries attacked the Tuileries Palace; monarchy was suspended.
* On **21 September 1792**, the **National Convention** abolished the monarchy and declared France a **republic**.
* Louis XVI was tried and executed on **21 January 1793**.
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#### 7️⃣ Radical Phase: Reign of Terror
* Under **Robespierre** and the Jacobins (1793–94), harsh measures were taken to protect the Revolution:
* Suspected counter-revolutionaries were imprisoned or executed.
* Economic controls (price and wage regulations) were introduced.
* Slavery was abolished in French colonies.
* Women's clubs demanded equality but were later banned.
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#### 8️⃣ End of Terror & Rise of Napoleon
* Robespierre's excesses led to his arrest and execution in **July 1794**.
* The **Directory (1795)** replaced the Jacobins but was weak and corrupt.
* In **1799**, **Napoleon Bonaparte** seized power, ending the Revolution.
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#### 9️⃣ Impact
* Spread ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity across Europe.
* Abolished feudalism, inspired modern constitutions, and promoted nationalism.
* Gave rise to new political symbols (e.g., tricolor flag, Marianne, liberty caps).
* Showed that ordinary people could challenge absolute monarchy and social hierarchy.
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### Timeline of Key Events
| Year | Event |
| ---- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| 1774 | Louis XVI becomes king |
| 1789 | Estates-General, Tennis Court Oath, Bastille stormed |
| 1791 | Constitution limits royal power |
| 1792 | Monarchy abolished, republic declared |
| 1793 | King executed, Reign of Terror begins |
| 1794 | Robespierre executed, Terror ends |
| 1795 | Directory formed |
| 1799 | Napoleon takes power |
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**Chapter Essence:**
The French Revolution was a turning point in world history. It dismantled feudal privileges, established new political principles based on equality and rights, and transformed France from an absolute monarchy to a republic, laying the foundation for modern democracy.
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