French Revolution Victory Day (National Day)

The French Revolution was a revolution that took place in France from 1789 to 1799.

In this revolution, the bourgeoisie and the common people together overthrew the absolute monarchy. During the reign of Louis XV (1710 - 1774), the people were constantly criticized for their extreme dissatisfaction with the king's rule. This formed the Enlightenment Movement, and a large number of enlightened figures such as Voltaire, Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Diderot emerged. Ideas such as natural human rights, constitutional monarchy, and separation of powers came into being and became increasingly popular among the people.

Before the revolution, the population of France was divided into three classes:

1. Catholic prelates

2. feudal aristocracy

3. The bourgeoisie, farmers, proletarians and other classes except the first and second classes.

When Louis XVI ascended the throne in 1774, the three tiers of Congress representing France had not been held for 160 years.

On May 5, 1789, due to financial problems, Louis XVI convened a three-level meeting at the Palace of Versailles. The king hoped to discuss tax increases, press restrictions and civil criminal law issues, and ordered that no other topics be discussed. The third-level representatives disagreed with the tax increase and declared it illegal.

On June 17, the third-level representatives announced the establishment of the National Assembly, and the King had no right to veto the resolution of the National Assembly. So Louis XVI closed the National Assembly, declared it illegal, all its decisions null and void, and ordered the representatives of the three classes to meet separately.

On July 9, the National Assembly announced that it would be renamed the Constituent Assembly, calling for the formulation of a constitution to limit the royal power. Louis XVI realized that this endangered his rule and mobilized troops in an attempt to dissolve Parliament.

On July 12, citizens of Paris held a massive demonstration in support of the Constituent Assembly. The next day, the bells rang in the Paris church, and citizens fought with King's mercenaries from Germany and Switzerland, taking control of most of Paris that night.

On July 14, the masses captured the Bastille prison, which symbolized feudal rule, released seven prisoners, most of whom were political prisoners, and achieved initial victory. This day later became French National Day.