Storming of the Bastille, The

The French Revolution did not erupt suddenly on July 14, 1789. Rather, it was the result of deep-rooted issues that had been festering for decades. The Ancien Régime, a rigid social and political structure, created vast inequalities that left the majority of the population burdened with heavy taxes and little representation. At the same time, Enlightenment thinkers challenged traditional authority, inspiring people to demand fundamental rights. Adding to these tensions was a financial crisis that left the government unable to function effectively, further alienating the common people from the monarchy. Under the Ancien Régime, French society was divided into three estates. The First Estate, composed of the clergy, and the Second Estate, made up of the nobility, enjoyed numerous privileges, including exemption from most taxes. The Third Estate, which included the bourgeoisie, urban workers, and peasants, bore the financial weight of the nation. These commoners made up the vast majority of the population but had little say in political matters. Discontent grew as food prices soared, wages stagnated, and oppressive taxes drained the resources of ordinary citizens. The nobility and clergy, unwilling to relinquish their privileges, further deepened the divide between the ruling class and the people. As social inequality worsened, Enlightenment ideas provided a new way of thinking. Philosophers such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu argued against absolute monarchy and promoted concepts such as liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty. Their writings spread widely, influencing the educated middle class and encouraging political discussions. Many began to question the legitimacy of the monarchy and the rigid class system. The belief that power should come from the people, rather than from divine right, gained traction, setting the stage for a confrontation with the old order.