Question

for hundreds of years prior to the revolution, french people, like most europeans, were divided into three social estates: clergy, nobility, and the lowest estate, the commoners, which existed to serve the other estates. above all was gods gift to mankind, the king. but this hierarchy was being questioned by the enlightenment, a movement of intellectuals who promoted the use of reason and science. revolutionary ideas began to spread to the public. in the 1780s when an economically broke and spoiled monarchy tried to increase taxes on the commoners, resentment reached a new level and riots began. on the 14th of july 1789, revolutionists stormed the bastille fortress, a symbol of the royal power. this date is marked as the beginning of the end of the old monarchy and became frances independence day, even though the king was beheaded in 1793. shortly after, the french adopted a universal declaration which stated, “men are born and remain free and equal in rights.” this was a radical change even though it left many people out. but the french revolution was far from a smooth ride. actually, it was a bloodbath which led to external and internal wars. the newly introduced guillotine worked overtime beheading tens of thousands of french during the period known as “the terror.” in 1799, the revolution ended when a military commander by the name of napoleon bonaparte seized control of the french legislature, eventually declaring himself emperor. although the revolution began and ended with a monarchy, it had a crucial impact on europe and world history and laid the foundation for a modern state governed by the people. 1. based on the video and transcript, what problems was france facing in the late 1700s?

Explanation:

The text mentions that in the 1780s, France had an economically - broke monarchy trying to increase taxes on commoners, causing resentment and riots. Also, the old social hierarchy was being questioned by the Enlightenment, leading to revolutionary ideas spreading. There were external and internal wars during "The Terror" after the revolution started.

Answer:

1. Economic problems with a broke monarchy and increased taxes on commoners.
2. Social unrest due to the questioned social hierarchy and spread of revolutionary ideas.
3. Political instability with external and internal wars during "The Terror".