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The French Revolution is the most famous revolution in all of history.  It started out with hope and promise, but ended with nearly everyone being executed by the [[Guillotine]].  Then there was a "Reign of Terror", terrifying chaos when anyone and everyone could be killed at any time.

The French Revolution is one of the most famous revolutions in all of history.  It started out with hope and promise, but then there was a "[[Reign of Terror]]", a chaos wherein anyone could be killed at any time. At least 18,000 people were executed on the [[Guillotine]].

Before the Revolution, France had three levels in its social system: The First, Second, and Third Estates.  The [[First Estate]] was about 1% of the population, but it controlled 10% of the land.  The First Estate consisted of the clergy, and they did not pay any taxes.  The [[Second Estate]] was about 2% of the population and they controlled 20% of the land.  These were the nobility, and they too payed very little taxes.  The [[Third Estate]] was everyone else, and they were badly overtaxed by the monarch.  This overtaxing was a major cause of the French Revolution.  Interestingly, taxes also helped to spark the [[American Revolution]].

Before the Revolution, France had three levels in its social system: The First, Second, and Third Estates.  The [[First Estate]] was about 1% of the population, but it controlled 10% of the land.  The First Estate consisted of the clergy, and they did not pay any taxes.  The [[Second Estate]] was about 2% of the population and they controlled 20% of the land.  These were the nobility, and they too payed very little taxes.  The [[Third Estate]] was everyone else, and they were badly overtaxed by the monarch.  This overtaxing was a major cause of the French Revolution.  Interestingly, taxes also helped to spark the [[American Revolution]].