THE FRENCH REVOLUTION 1715-1804

The widespread of the population of France was made up of commoners, who

resented the human rights enjoyed by the aristocracy and clergy. In addition,
the growth of new ideas during the 18th century's enlightenment resulted in
thinkers such as Voltaire and Rousseau beginning to trouble the principles of
the old government and absolutism. These thinkers spoke of a open-minded
civilization that enjoyed free commerce. They also championed equivalent
rights and the elimination of the class scheme. Frenchmen who had been
exposed to the ideas behind the American Revolution further encouraged the
notion of revolution. In 1789 the crisis came to a head. On July 14th, a
Parisian crowd appalled and stormed the Bastille prison, which was seen as a
representation of political oppression. The French revolution had begun. On
the August 26, 1789 the revolutionaries issued the Declaration of the Rights of
Man which personified the philosophy of Liberté, Egalité, and Fraternité, and
was intended to finish the class system. During the Revolution, Louis XVI was
guillotined, along with scores of moderates and radicals, at the Place de la
Revolution (now the Place de la Concorde). Robespierre and his Committee of
Public Safety brought on the Reign of Terror in France.

RENAISSANCE 1453-1598
Francois I strengthened the French coronet during the early 16th century. He
also welcomed to France numerous Italian artists, such as Leonardo Da Vinci.
Their authority assured the success of the Renaissance method. The years
between 1562 and 1598 saw an increase in the number of Huguenots
(Protestants), which led to the Wars of Religion between Catholics and
Protestants. Catherine de Medici ordered the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre
of hundreds of Protestants. In 1589, Henri IV, who was a target of the
annihilation, became the first Bourbon king of France and astutely changed to
Catholism. Henry ended the Wars of Religion with the Edict of Nantes, which
assured religious and political rights to the Huguenots.
THE GRAND SIECLE 1598-1715
The 17th century is renowned for being an age of profligacy and authority for
the French Monarchy. King Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu altered France's
feudal monarchy to a supreme monarchy. Louis XIV, however, is the French
king linked more than any other King with this period. Also known as the Sun
King, Louis strengthened his own power by keeping all the local princes and
lords busy with the elaborate court existence at his palace in Versailles. This
focus on court life kept the local princes and lords from focusing on trying to
emasculate Louis' power. This period is also known for the genius of the
writers, architects and musicians who were promoted by the royal court. Sadly,
Louis' extravagance, in particular Louis XIV's endless wars, was costly, and
would put the majority of France in financial risk by the end of his supremacy.
Louis also revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685. Louis XIV died in 1715 and
Louis XV assumed the throne. The Bourgeoisie began to desire more political
rights, and this would come to create a great dilemma for Louis' successors.