European History

Introduction

The French Revolution of 1789 is one of the most important events in both French and European history. It marks the rise of the 3rd class after centuries of paying high tax to the King. The revolution centred around (at its peak) the weak King Louis XVI and the immature Queen Marie Antoinette , as the public saw them, and their lavish lifestyle hidden away at Versailles. The people of France at the time of 1789 were being influenced by the media, which did not help the situation. The press would make up stories of their ?Wicked Queen's? lavish spending of public money, and her many love affairs which made her extremely unpopular among the French public. The 6th October 1789 marks the start of the Revolution when 100's of market women (and men dressed as women) marched on the Palace Of Versailles demanding the Queen's head and the King's immediate return to Paris. The women were successful in bringing the Royal family back to Paris, even if the Queen had not been killed as intended. The situation worsened once in Paris as the ?Reign of Terror? came into power, and as Marie Antoinette famously said ?Now they will make proper prisoners of us?.