Following the Terror, a five-man executive body called the took power but proved weak and corrupt. This instability allowed a young, successful general named Napoleon Bonaparte to seize power in a coup d'état in November 1799, effectively ending the revolution and beginning the Napoleonic Era. 5. Lasting Legacy The French Revolution left a permanent mark on the world:
The concept of a modern nation-state, where citizens owe loyalty to their country rather than a king, was born.
Philosophers like Rousseau and Voltaire spread ideas of liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty, challenging the "divine right" of kings. 2. The Early Phase (1789–1791) La rГ©volution franГ§aise
This document established the principles of "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité," asserting that all men are born free and equal. 3. Radicalization and the Reign of Terror (1792–1794)
France was nearly bankrupt due to its involvement in expensive wars, including the American Revolution. Following the Terror, a five-man executive body called
Louis XVI was executed by guillotine in January 1793, followed by Queen Marie Antoinette later that year.
The French population was divided into three "Estates": First Estate: The Clergy (exempt from taxes). Lasting Legacy The French Revolution left a permanent
Led by Maximilien Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety, the government executed thousands of "enemies of the revolution."