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Strong leadership might have solved the problems that KIng Louis XVI. However, Louis put off cutting expenses until he has practically no money left.
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The Third Estate delegates named themselves the National Assembly. They passed laws and reforms in the name of the French people.
[National Assembly Picture Link] http://userscontent2.emaze.com/images/38fc78e8-4c06-42b4-b0ea-626f1b11bcaf/780f1cb8-9ed6-41cb-b173-f3ce19a7c2d7.jpg -
A mob searching for gunpowder and arms stormed the Bastille, a Paris Prison. The mob overwhelmed the guard and seized control of the building.
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The National Convention quickly abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic. The adult male citizens were granted the right to vote and hold office.
[National Convention Picture Link]
https://moderneurope.wikispaces.com/file/view/convention.jpg/31892215/480x333/convention.jpg -
The Committee of Public Safety's chief task was to protect the revolution from its enemies. Under Robespierre's leadership, the committee often had these "enemies" tried in the morning and guillotined in the afternoon. This proceeded for a year, this was known as the Reign of Terror.
[Reign of Terror Link]
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The National Convention drafted a new form of government after Robespierre died. They called it the Directory, it was in the hands of the upper middle class and called for a two house legislature executive body of five men.
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The Directory government appointed Napoleon to lead the French army against the forces of Austria and the Kingdom of Sardinia.By 1799 the Directory had lost control of the Political situation and the confidence of the French people.
[The Directory picture Link]
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Napoleon took action in 1799 when his friend urged him to seize political power. The troops under his command surrounded the national legislature and drove out most of its members. The lawmakers who remained then voted to dissolve the Directory. The sudden seizure of power like Napoleon's is know as the coup - from the French phrase coup d'état. Napoleon then established a new form of government called Consulate.
