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The French Revolution
Home » France » France - History and Overview » The French RevolutionPosted by Your Guide on May 17, 2006 4:53 PM
The rest of the world was threatened by Louis’ success, however. England was a constant threat, as was the rise of Prussia to the east. Subsequent wars and throne successions by Louis XV and Louis XVI saw France in a steep decline.
Meanwhile, the Enlightenment movement was raging, causing French citizens to question the absolute rule under which they were living. The country was in terrible shape economically, food and jobs were scare, and Louis XVI was doing little to abate the situation. In response, a group of insurgents stormed the Bastille (a prison) on July 14, 1789. There were only seven prisoners to release, but the main objective was to acquire artillery. The citizens of Paris hit the streets, building barricades and arming themselves for battle. The nobles responded by backing off and fleeing Paris.
The successful rebellion spread throughout France, and people began to organize themselves into municipalities for the purposes of self-government, with complete disregard for royal rule. On August 10, 1792, troops threw Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette into prison. They were both executed at the guillotine in the ensuing months.
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