The French Revolution And Napoleon

The Third Estate was forced to pay all the taxes. In the Old Regime in France, the society was divided into three estates. The First Estate consisted of the clergy, the Second Estate consisted of the nobility, and the Third Estate consisted of the commoners. The Third Estate, which made up the majority of the population, was burdened with heavy taxes while the First and Second Estates enjoyed exemptions and privileges. This unfair taxation system was one of the main causes of the French Revolution.

The American Revolution influenced the French Revolution. The American Revolution, which occurred from 1775 to 1783, was a successful rebellion against British rule in the American colonies. It inspired French intellectuals and revolutionaries with its ideas of liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty. The French saw the American Revolution as a model for their own struggle against an oppressive monarchy and aristocracy. The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was heavily influenced by the ideals and principles of the American Revolution, leading to significant social, political, and economic changes in France.

Maximilien Robespierre led the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution. He was a prominent figure in the Committee of Public Safety and played a crucial role in enforcing revolutionary policies. Robespierre believed that the revolution needed to eliminate its enemies, both internal and external, in order to establish a truly democratic society. Under his leadership, thousands of people were executed by the guillotine, including aristocrats, clergy, and even fellow revolutionaries who were deemed counter-revolutionary. Robespierre's reign ended when he himself was arrested and executed in 1794.

Napoleon was defeated at the battle of Waterloo. This battle took place on June 18, 1815, in present-day Belgium. It was a decisive battle in which Napoleon's forces were defeated by a coalition of European armies led by the Duke of Wellington and Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher. The defeat at Waterloo marked the end of Napoleon's rule as Emperor of the French and his final attempt to regain power after his exile to Elba. This battle is considered a turning point in European history, as it led to the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in France and the reshaping of the political landscape in Europe.

After the fall of the King, the Jacobins came into power. The Jacobins were a radical political group during the French Revolution who played a significant role in the overthrow of the monarchy. They were known for their radical ideologies and their pursuit of social and political equality. With their rise to power, they implemented various reforms and policies that aimed to transform France into a republic. Therefore, it can be inferred that the Jacobins took control after the fall of the King.