"The secret of freedom lies in educating people, whereas the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant" -Maximilien Robespierre
The French Revolution, a pivotal moment in European history, emerged because of social, economic, and political factors. Before the Revolution, France was governed by an absolute monarchy where the king had absolute power over the country. There were 3 estates or classes: the clergy (First Estate), the nobility (Second Estate), and everyone else (Third Estate). While the First and Second Estates bathed in comfort and wealth, the Third Estate had heavy tax burdens and no say in the government. This social imbalance was exacerbated by a financial crisis due to France’s involvement in costly wars and extravagant spending by the royal family. The government, led by King Louis XVI, was on the brink of bankruptcy. Another factor was the Age of Enlightenment, where ideas about God, reason, nature, and humanity were questioned. These factors caused the Third Estate to question why they needed a king. They eventually rose up against the king and overthrew the absolute monarchy government. To learn more about the revolution and the events, please watch the following video: French Revolution Explained In Plain English.
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