Answer :
Answer:
Short Note :-
In 1789, angry French citizens, tired of unfair taxes and a king with too much power, stormed the Bastille prison. This sparked the French Revolution. They fought for liberty (freedom), equality (fairness), and fraternity (brotherhood). The revolution brought major changes, but also a scary period called the Reign of Terror. Though the goals weren't fully achieved, it challenged absolute power and inspired future revolutions.
Explanation:
Long note :-
Liberty, Equality, Fraternity: A Glimpse into the French Revolution (300 Words)
Seeds of Discontent: By the late 18th century, France was a society on the brink. King Louis XVI and the lavish lifestyle of the nobility drained the royal treasury. Meanwhile, the vast majority - the commoners or Third Estate - were burdened with heavy taxes and had little say in government. This social and economic inequality fueled a growing sense of discontent.
Ideas of Change: Philosophers of the Enlightenment, like Montesquieu and Rousseau, challenged the absolute power of monarchs and advocated for individual rights and equality. These ideas resonated with the frustrated populace, who saw them as a potential solution to their problems.
Storming the Bastille (1789): King Louis XVI's attempts to raise taxes on the Third Estate proved to be the tipping point. On July 14, 1789, Parisians stormed the Bastille, a symbol of royal tyranny. This act of defiance marked the start of the French Revolution.
The National Assembly and the Declaration (1789): The Third Estate, no longer willing to be ignored, declared itself the National Assembly. This newly formed body began drafting reforms. A key document, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, established principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity, challenging the privileges of the clergy and nobility.
Monarchy to Republic (1792): The king's attempts to suppress the revolution backfired. In 1792, revolutionaries stormed the royal palace, leading to the abolishment of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic. France was now a nation governed by its citizens.
Reign of Terror (1793-1794): Radicals like Robespierre came to power, fearing foreign intervention and counter-revolution. A period of intense violence ensued, known as the Reign of Terror. Anyone suspected of being an enemy of the revolution faced execution by guillotine. This period of bloodshed tarnished the revolution's ideals
Napoleon and Beyond (1799): A young military leader named Napoleon Bonaparte rose to prominence. He brought stability to France by ending the Reign of Terror and winning foreign wars. However, Napoleon's ambition for power eventually led him to declare himself Emperor, marking a shift away from the revolution's initial goals of liberty and equality.
A Legacy of Change: Though the French Revolution did not achieve a perfect republic, its impact on world history is undeniable. It challenged the divine right of kings, fueled revolutions for freedom elsewhere, and laid the groundwork for modern democracy. Today, the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity continue to inspire movements for justice and a more equitable world.