Video Lessons
What caused the French Revolution
The French Revolution challenged the traditional power structures of Europe, rooted in the Enlightenment-era’s promotion of reason and human freedom over tradition and religion. Peasants, who had been taxed heavily and denied basic rights, formed the National Assembly, declared themselves the true representatives of the French people and abolished feudalism. After the execution of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, Napoleon Bonaparte seized control of the government, claiming to defend the Revolution’s democratic values. After decades of alternating between monarchy and revolt, the next Republic was formed in 1871, raising questions that are still being asked today.