french revolution

• The French monarchy's extravagant spending and financial mismanagement, including the cost of wars and the support of American revolutionaries, led to a severe financial crisis in France.
• The revolution went through violent phases of the overthrow of the monarchy, establishment of a republic, the Reign of Terror, and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1799 marking the end of the revolution.
• It declared itself as the National Assembly and was locked out of its assembly room, subsequently meeting on a nearby tennis court, taking the Tennis Court Oath.
• The First Estate consisted of the French Catholic clergy and was the wealthiest yet did not pay any taxes.
• Economic inequality and financial crisis in France contributed to social unrest and dissatisfaction.
• In 1789, Louis XVI called upon the Estates-General (a legislative body consisting of three estates) to address the country's economic problems.
• On June 20th, 1789, the Third Estate declared itself as the National Assembly and began drafting a new constitution.
• The Third Estate demanded equal representation with the other two estates but was denied by the King.