The Enlightenment's influence and the economic crises set the stage for the French Revolution.

• Enlightened thinkers like Voltaire and Rousseau challenged ignorance and tyranny.
• The Encyclopaedia spread enlightened thinking, discrediting the old regime.
• Economic hardship due to military spendings and bad harvests increased the burden on the people.

The division of French society into three Estates and the imbalance of power and tax burden.

• The First Estate (Church) and Second Estate (Nobility) did not pay taxes and had privileges.
• The Third Estate, comprising 97% of the population, shouldered the tax burden without political power.
• Social discontent brewed among the Third Estate, especially the bourgeoisie, artisans, and peasants.

The National Assembly's formation and the beginning of revolutionary actions.

• The Third Estate delegates formed the National Assembly, in defiance of King Louis XVI.
• The Tennis Court Oath was a promise by the National Assembly to draft a constitution for France.
• The storming of the Bastille marked the beginning of revolutionary violence and the fall of the old regime.

The National Constituent Assembly's decisions and the weakening of the monarchy.

• The National Constituent Assembly enacted significant reforms, including the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
• The monarchy is weakened as the King and Queen are forced to move to Paris and submit to the will of the people.
• France transitions to a Constitutional Monarchy, but King Louis XVI's failed escape attempt leads to his imprisonment.

The radical phase of the Revolution, characterized by the Reign of Terror and political turmoil.

• The National Convention, dominated by Jacobeans, abolished the monarchy and proclaimed the Republic.
• Dr. Guillotin's beheading method, the guillotine, became a symbol of the Reign of Terror.
• The National Convention faced internal conflict and a civil war, leading to the radicalization of the revolution.

The fall of Robespierre brought an end to the Reign of Terror and introduced the Directory.

• Robespierre's increasing extremism led to his execution, bringing an end to the Reign of Terror.
• The Directory era was marked by moderation, economic crisis, and political dissension.
• Napoleon Bonaparte rose to prominence, leading to his coup d'État and the establishment of the Consulate.

Napoleon's ascension marked the end of the Revolution and the establishment of an Empire.

• Napoleon restored order and the economy during the Consulate period.
• In 1804, Napoleon declared himself Emperor, which many historians view as the end of the Revolution.
• The revolutionary ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity have had a lasting impact on the Western world.