In the 18th century, France was governed by the Old Regime, an absolute monarchy where society was divided into three estates: the privileged First Estate (clergy), Second Estate (nobility), and the unprivileged Third Estate (commoners). The Third Estate, despite being the largest, was burdened with heavy taxation while the First and Second Estates enjoyed tax exemptions. Economic strain, exacerbated by poor harvests, extravagant royal spending, and funding of wars, worsened France’s fiscal crisis. Enlightenment ideas promoting reason, democracy, and equality challenged the traditional absolutist and feudal system, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and demands for reform.

The French Revolution unfolded through four key phases: the National Assembly (1789-1791), the Legislative Assembly (1791-1792), the Convention (1792-1795), and the Directory (1795-1799). Major events included the storming of the Bastille, the abolition of the monarchy, and the Reign of Terror under the Jacobins. Reforms introduced by the Revolution included the Declaration of the Rights of Man, the abolition of feudal privileges, and the establishment of a more equitable legal and educational system. Despite these changes, the Directory faced corruption and administrative failures, but the Revolution fostered a strong sense of nationalism and pride in France.