The Effects of America's Independence on The French Revolution (01:28)

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The Revolution was caused by the French government's huge debts from the American War of Independence. The French built up their debt after their support towards the war, which was costing them about 1.5 billion when their annual budget is 600 million.

The Birth of The Tennis Court Oath (04:50)

The Tennis Court Oath was an event that took place on June 20th, 1789, in which a group of revolutionaries swore to never separate until they had created a constitution for France. Aristocrat Marquis de Lafayette soon helped the Third Estate by presenting the National Assembly with the draft of a Declaration of the Rights of Man with the help of Thomas Jefferson.

Storming of the Bastille (03:16)

The storming of the Bastille is usually seen as the Revolution made real. A huge crowd of workers waving banners marched upon the city's most famous prison.

The French National Flag (01:37)

The French National flag contains a clue about the King's role during the early period. Revolutionaries replaced the royal fleur de lis with the red, white, and blue tricolor the flag of the people. The flag was a compromise between the King and revolutionaries.

Women in The French Revolution (01:22)

Women were not holding back during the revolution. They threatened to kill Marie Antoinette if the king did not distribute flour. Olympe de Gouges wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Women, encouraging them to fight for their rights

King Louis XVI's Royal Power Shift (06:00)

As fake news became exceedingly relentless towards the Queen, they decided to flee from Paris once caught the King was removed from power and quickly reinstated when the astronomer Jean Bailly lied that the King and Queen were kidnapped and forced to leave.

King Louis XVI's Execution (08:00)

Maximilian Robespierre was soon known for unleashing the Terror. He was previously opposed to the death sentence. After France was riven by the civil war and threatened by numerous countries including Austria, Marie Antoinette's homeland, he endorsed the execution of the King. The execution began the Terror.

Marie Antoinette's Execution (06:32)

Marie Antoinette was executed during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror. It was used as a way to scare citizens into submission. Robespierre was made into a scapegoat after his death for all the things that had happened during the period of terror.

Napoleon Bonaparte's Control (02:59)

As France was caught up in the violent counter-revolutionary war, Great Britain joined the attempt to restore the French monarchy. Their efforts failed, due to the Republican artillery officer Napoleon Bonaparte who later became the ruler of France.

The Grandfather of Revolutions (03:07)

The French Revolution is a complex event that has been interpreted in many different ways and used as a blueprint. Some countries see it as a radical, violent, and unsuccessful event, while others see it as a more moderate and successful revolution. Others adopted it as a model for action against oppression.

The Legacy of the French Revolution and Marie Antoinette (00:00)

Britain portrays the French Revolution as ideologues who take things too far and the Americans view it as more unsuccessful as it led to violent events. Madame Tussaud set up a museum exhibiting waxworks of The Terror. The museum reappraised Marie Antoinette's reputation, even John Galliano referenced her style for Dior.

Marie Antoinette's Role in the French Revolution (05:52)

The phrase "let them eat cake" is often attributed to Marie Antoinette, with no evidence that she ever said it. It was used to prove the Queen's indifference and to show her thoughtlessness. A portrait with her children and her courtesy to orphans helped improve her image as a Queen. Because of her lavish lifestyle she was seen as an active participant naming her 'Madame Deficit".

Credits (00:33)

Credits