Summary of FrenchRev

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The French Revolution was a time of great change in France, when the Third Estate rose up to demand more rights and eventually formed the National Assembly. The National Assembly went on to create a new flag, declare individual rights, and adopt the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. The National Convention became a dictatorship under the leadership of Maximilien Robespierre, but following his execution, the Committee of Public Safety took over and held power until Napoleon Bonaparte emerged victorious in the French Revolutionary Wars.

• 00:00:00 The French Revolution was the first revolution in history and it has influenced our modern ideas of nationalism. Prior to the French Revolution, society was governed by one leader, the divine king. The French Revolution was comprised of three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the third estate, which included serfs, farmers, and wealthy businessmen. All of the second estate's income went to support the first and second estate, while the third estate had few rights. The French Revolution was broke because the government had spent money on lavish lifestyles, such as palaces and parties, instead of investing in the economy.
• 00:05:00 The Third Estate, representing the majority of French people, convened an Estates General meeting in order to voice their grievances and demand voting rights for themselves. When these demands were not met, the Third Estate became known as the National Assembly and signed an oath of allegiance to the new French government. The National Assembly went on to create a new flag, declare individual rights, and adopt the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. The National Convention, which was a republic, became a dictatorship under the leadership of Maximilien Robespierre. Following the execution of Robespierre, the Committee of Public Safety took over and held power until Napoleon Bonaparte emerged victorious in the French Revolutionary Wars.
• 00:10:00 The French Revolution was a time when the ideas of liberty and equality became the model for revolution in law. The French Revolution was a time when thousands were sent to their deaths via the guillotine. The Reign of Terror was a time when order was restored and Robespierre was executed. The Directory was a weak government and Napoleon took over.