When did the French Revolution take place?

Answer 1

The French Revolution is a misleading term. There have been at least 23 French Revolutions. The first one started on 14th July 1789 when the starving people of Paris attacked the Bastille, a fortress on the edge of town, because a) they needed some guns and b) the Bastille was a prison where the King could send anybody, any time, without question or trial. The mob, armed with muskets and one or two cannon from Les Invalides, battered at the walls and told the Governor that his life would be spared if he surrendered. The Governor surrendered. His head was removed with a blunt knife. The mob then rushed to rescue the prisoners. It turned out there were only seven of them, as the King wasn't using that prison any more. Bother. Meanwhile at Versailles the King, wanting more tax money, had called Parliament to meet for the first time in 150 years. Mistake. In theory, he should have got what he wanted. Parliament had three houses, or 'Estates'; the Nobility, the Clergy and the Third Estate, which meant the common people. (Incidentally, this is where we get the term 'Third World' from.) The Nobility and Clergy didn't pay taxes, so were only too willing to give the King what he wanted. The Third Estate paid all the taxes and would obviously vote against more; but each Estate had only one vote. The members of the Third Estate responded to this constitutional unfairness by locking themselves in the King's indoor tennis court and swearing not to leave until France had a new constitution. The King gave in, then changed his mind, then sent for troops to back up his authority; which was why the common people in Paris needed guns to defend themselves. When the King heard about the Bastille business he said 'Oo dear, is this a revolt?' and was answered 'No, Sire, it's a Revolution'. He allowed the Third Estate a new voting system, but they didn't trust him and he was escorted to Paris where an eye could be kept on him. He tried to escape and was imprisoned. Every other King in Europe protested. The new French Government declared war on every King in Europe. The King was convicted of plotting with France's enemies, and guillotined. Reign of Terror. All enemies of Revolution go on chopping list. Enemies defeated. War over, Terror no longer necessary, its leaders are executed. France without leaders, General Napoleon Bonaparte takes over. 1804, he becomes Emperor Napoleon. More wars. 1814, King back (Louis XVIII); 1815, Napoleon returns for 100 days, then Waterloo and King back. Succeeded by his son Charles X. Unpopular. 1830, Revolution. Louis-Philippe, constitutional monarchy. 1848, Revolution. Second Republic. President, Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, great-nephew of guess who. 1852, Second Empire, Napoleon III. 1870, war with Prussia. France loses. Paris besieged. Emperor abdicates. Third Republic. New Government surrenders Paris. Revolution in Paris (the Commune). French army invades Paris. 20,000 Parisians killed in a week. Paris comes to heel. 1940, Germans invade. Dictatorship. 1945, Fourth Republic. At the moment, we're on the Fifth Republic and still counting.
The French Revolution took place from 1789 to 1799.
The French Revolution officially started in 1789 and ended in 1799.
From 1789 to 1799.

Answer 2

The French Revolution is a misleading term. There have been at least 23 French Revolutions. The first one started on 14th July 1789 when the starving people of Paris attacked the Bastille, a fortress on the edge of town, because a) they needed some guns and b) the Bastille was a prison where the King could send anybody, any time, without question or trial. The mob, armed with muskets and one or two cannon from Les Invalides, battered at the walls and told the Governor that his life would be spared if he surrendered. The Governor surrendered. His head was removed with a blunt knife. The mob then rushed to rescue the prisoners. It turned out there were only seven of them, as the King wasn't using that prison any more. Bother. Meanwhile at Versailles the King, wanting more tax money, had called Parliament to meet for the first time in 150 years. Mistake. In theory, he should have got what he wanted. Parliament had three houses, or 'Estates'; the Nobility, the Clergy and the Third Estate, which meant the common people. (Incidentally, this is where we get the term 'Third World' from.) The Nobility and Clergy didn't pay taxes, so were only too willing to give the King what he wanted. The Third Estate paid all the taxes and would obviously vote against more; but each Estate had only one vote. The members of the Third Estate responded to this constitutional unfairness by locking themselves in the King's indoor tennis court and swearing not to leave until France had a new constitution. The King gave in, then changed his mind, then sent for troops to back up his authority; which was why the common people in Paris needed guns to defend themselves. When the King heard about the Bastille business he said 'Oo dear, is this a revolt?' and was answered 'No, Sire, it's a Revolution'. He allowed the Third Estate a new voting system, but they didn't trust him and he was escorted to Paris where an eye could be kept on him. He tried to escape and was imprisoned. Every other King in Europe protested. The new French Government declared war on every King in Europe. The King was convicted of plotting with France's enemies, and guillotined. Reign of Terror. All enemies of Revolution go on chopping list. Enemies defeated. War over, Terror no longer necessary, its leaders are executed. France without leaders, General Napoleon Bonaparte takes over. 1804, he becomes Emperor Napoleon. More wars. 1814, King back (Louis XVIII); 1815, Napoleon returns for 100 days, then Waterloo and King back. Succeeded by his son Charles X. Unpopular. 1830, Revolution. Louis-Philippe, constitutional monarchy. 1848, Revolution. Second Republic. President, Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, great-nephew of guess who. 1852, Second Empire, Napoleon III. 1870, war with Prussia. France loses. Paris besieged. Emperor abdicates. Third Republic. New Government surrenders Paris. Revolution in Paris (the Commune). French army invades Paris. 20,000 Parisians killed in a week. Paris comes to heel. 1940, Germans invade. Dictatorship. 1945, Fourth Republic. At the moment, we're on the Fifth Republic and still counting.
The French Revolution took place from 1789 to 1799.
The French Revolution officially started in 1789 and ended in 1799.
From 1789 to 1799.

Answer 3

14th July 1789, with the 'Storming of the Bastille'.