The French Revolution
A term financial crisis, caused partly by French involvement in the American War of Independence, led to the French crown first calling an Assembly of Notables and then, in 1789, a meeting called the Estates General in order to impose new tax laws. The Estates General was composed of three ‘Estates’: the clergy, the nobility and the rest of France. This 'third estate', informed by long term doubts over the constitution of France and the development of a new social order of bourgeoisie, declared itself a National Assembly and decreed the suspension of tax.
After a power struggle, the king gave in and the Assembly began reforming France, scrapping the old system and drawing up a new constitution with a legislative assembly. This continued the reforms, but it created divisions in France by legislating against the church and declaring war on nations which supported the French king. In 1792 a second revolution took place, which forced the Assembly to replace itself with a National Convention which abolished the monarchy, declared France a republic and in 1793 executed the king.
After a power struggle, the king gave in and the Assembly began reforming France, scrapping the old system and drawing up a new constitution with a legislative assembly. This continued the reforms, but it created divisions in France by legislating against the church and declaring war on nations which supported the French king. In 1792 a second revolution took place, which forced the Assembly to replace itself with a National Convention which abolished the monarchy, declared France a republic and in 1793 executed the king.
