Turning Points: the French and Russian Revolutions

Turning Points: the French and Russian Revolutions

Turning Points: The French and Russian Revolutions
Turning points are major events in history that have led to lasting change. These can include revolutions, elections, wars, just about anything that is bound to have a lasting effect on the course of history. The French and Russian Revolutions are great examples of turning points in history.

The French Revolution was a major turning point in the history of the world. The French Revolution was a byproduct of the Enlightenment Phase, a phase where people discovered their natural rights. During the French Revolution, the Third Estate of France, AKA: The lower class/peasants, rebelled and overthrew the middle and upper classes. Even before the French Revolution, there were many social and economic problems hitting France. In the mid-1600s, Louis XIV aimed to glorify France and did so by fighting a series of wars, spending loads on troops and arms. His personal palace, Versailles, which was built in 1661, cost $100 Million dollars. His insane spending left the country heavily in debt.

In 1774, Louis XV died and left his country in even more debt than the previous ruler. In 1789, the peasants were angry due to an unfair tax system and a poor harvest in the previous year. That same year, Louis XVI called Estates-General to a meeting in Versailles to approve a tax plan. And again that same year, specifically in June, the Third Estate declared themselves the National Assembly and created the Tennis Court Oath. A month later the people of Paris stormed the Bastille and launched the famous French Revolution and Reign of Terror, staying that way for 10 years until the Directory fell.

The French Revolution is a major turning point in history because it showed the dangers of an absolute monarchy and showed the dangers of ignoring the majority of the population's wants and needs. The French Revolution contributed to the progress of the “Enlightenment Era” and also made France lose territory due to attacks...

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