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Louis XVI and his wife spent money lavishly, yet irresponsibly. He only found it a problem when he had no money left, so he thought maybe to increase taxes on the middle class. However, all three classes called a meeting, which was called the Estates-General, to make new tax laws. I felt this was an important part of the revolution it as one of the beginning events, and brought all three estates, or classes together to discuss fair tax laws, that didn't put everything on the lowest class.
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The Third Estate longed for power, and after hearing the speech of Sieyès, where he stated that they should be able to pass laws to the French people, they were inspired. They marched into the Palace of Versailles with arms and gunpowder and broke down a tennis court door. Their revolts overthrew the guards and was known as an act of symbolic revolution. I felt this was an important part of the revolution because it is a special day for the French, such as the Fourth of July for Americans.
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The guillotine was a device invented by Dr. Joseph Ignace Guillotin which was used to carry out execution. It was usually done in public, so people could crowd around to watch, but some complained that it was too painless for people watching to enjoy. It was used on Louis XVI for being a king that brought many hardships to France. I felt this was an important part of the revolution as it had been used on so many people, even for silly crimes that people should not have sentenced to death for.
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The Legislative Assembly came into being to create laws and approve or reject wars as a group. The men who stayed on the left wing wanted great change in the government. The men who stayed at the center wanted were moderate changes in the government. The men who sat on the right wing wanted little to no change in the government. I felt this was an important part of the revolution as it gave many the many people of France a say in what was going on in the government.
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One revolutionary writer, Olympe de Gouges, published a writing of the inequality that women faced, as they were not allowed to vote, etc. She expressed the rights she believed women should have, but she was seen as an enemy and her ideas were rejected. After continuous pushing, she was executed. I felt this was an important part of the revolution because the lack of women's rights is an ongoing movement trying to be voiced in places all over the world, but is usually ignored.
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In the ruler, Maximilien Robespierre's time, a new calendar was created without Sunday because he believed Sunday was too religious, and he closed down all churches, as he believed religion was old-fashioned. His enemies were tried and guillotined in the same day. I felt this was an important part of the revolution because his enemies were the people of France who spoke their mind whom he disagreed with because they went against the ideas of the French Revolution. This took away speech rights.
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A quick seize in power like Napoleons is known as the French term, coup d’état. He had intended not to go down the same lane as Louis XVI. Under his rule, France was constantly in war. Britain, Russia, and Austria planned to drive him out of power, but after war and diplomacy, they signed peace treaties. Now, he focused his energy on restoring France to its stable state. I felt this was an important part of the revolution, as it brought peace and restoration to France.
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Napoleon wanted to strengthen the central government. To please the people, Napoleon created a code with set rules to follow. He brought controlled taxes and a national bank system. Religion was also a problemto be fixed, so he had restored the Church, and with this he created a relationship with the Church and state. I felt this was an important part of the revolution because, not only was Napoleon restoring France to its stable and efficient state, he was taking the people's word and opinions.
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Napoleon had made many mistakes as a ruler. First he had created blockades to stop imports from European nations, but they were disregarded. He invaded Spain, and because of worry he would weaken the Church, guerrillas formed to fight back, and many countries such as Germany and Italy turned against France. He had also invaded Russia, which ended in many wounded and famine. I felt this was an important part of the revolution because it explains setback of France, and gives lessons to new rulers.
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The five great powers, Prussia, Austria, Great Britain, and France joined together to create sets of rules and balance power, so no countries were a threat to others. This brought the bringing of two or more countries together to from one, strengthening countries around France to prevent French aggression, and recognizing nations as independent. I felt this was an important part of the revolution as it brought peace and prosperity to the many England nations, allowing them to work together.