Louis XVI was the king and absolute Monarch. He had total control over the government.

The people of France were divided into 3 different classes called estates.

1st estate: Clergy of Roman Catholics, paid very little taxes.

2nd estate: Rich nobles that are exempt from taxes.

3rd estate: 97% of the population, included everyone else from the poor to educated middle class. Paid almost all taxes in the country.

Having bad harvests and not much food led to many people going hungry and starving in France. This would contribute to the start of the revolution, as the rich had food, but no one else.

With many people unhappy, the king of France had a meeting with all 3 estates. Although the 3rd estate made up 97% of the people, each estate only got 1 vote, which led to even more angry people in France.

Following the Estates-General at Versailles, members of the 3rd estate took an oath to create a new government and constitution. This would start pushing for the Revolution.

On July 14th, 1789 the revolution began. Many people of the 3rd estate stormed the Bastille, a prison, freeing many prisoners and taking weapons.

Philosophers of France, with the help of Thomas Jefferson, created a document giving all people equal rights. Although it did not give rights to women, it was still a large step for civil rights.

The Women's March on Versailles was when a group of women called fishmongers marched to Versailles, the headquarters of the Royal Court. Protesting against the cost of bread, this protest shifted the power to the people.