Revolution of 1789

   The Revolution of 1789, or the French Revolution, includes the events beginning in 1788 and extending to the coup d'état of 18 Brumaire, Year VIII (November 9, 1799), which changed completely the social, political, legal, and religious structures of France, bringing an end to the ancien régime. Beginning with financial and ideological causes (the ideas of the enlightenment and of the philosophes), the Revolution of 1789 was precipitated by the calling of the estates general the previous year. Marked by the Oath of the Tennis Court and the proclaiming of the Constituent Assembly (June 1789) and the taking of the bastille (July 1789), the Revolution began to reach a critical stage with the flight of louis XVI to Varennes (June 1791) and soon the declaration of war on other European powers. on september 22, a republic (see first republic) was proclaimed and, shortly after the execution of the king (January 1793), the terror began, with the government under the control the radical jacobins. Moderates, such as the girondins, were proscribed, and only with the overthrow of maximilien Robespierre and his supporters was a moderate and liberal order restored. The instability of the new directory government, exacerbated by tension between Left and Right, by financial and social crises, and by the military policy of the period, led the way for the coup d'état that brought napoléon i to power. The Revolution had brought freedom and political equality, the abolition of feudalism, and the concept of national sovereignty to France.

   See also civil constitution of the clergy.