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France was one of the earliest countries in Europe to progress from feudalism to the nation-state. Its monarchs surrounded themselves with capable ministers, and French armies were among the most innovative, disciplined, and professional of their day. During the reign of [[Louis XIV]] (1643-1715), France was the dominant power in Europe. But overly ambitious projects and military campaigns of Louis and his successors led to chronic financial problems in the 18th Century.
France was one of the earliest countries in Europe to progress from feudalism to the nation-state. Its monarchs surrounded themselves with capable ministers, and French armies were among the most innovative, disciplined, and professional of their day. During the reign of [[Louis XIV]] (1643-1715), France was the dominant power in Europe. But overly ambitious projects and military campaigns of Louis and his successors led to chronic financial problems in the 18th Century.
==French Revolution==
* see [[French Revolution]]
* see [[French Revolution]]
*see [[Louis XVI]]
*see [[Louis XVI]]
*see [[Napoleon Bonaparte]]
*see [[Napoleon Bonaparte]]
The French Revolution of the 1790s was the decisive event in French history--one that reshaped the nation and brought France into the modern world. The meaning has been contested between historians of the left and right. In recent years the simplistic Marxist interpretation has lost favor, replaced by complexity and by the conservative interpretation of François Furet.<ref> See François Furet and Mona Ozouf, eds. ''A Critical Dictionary of the French Revolution'' (1989)</ref>
Deteriorating economic conditions and popular resentment against the complicated system of privileges granted the nobility and clerics were among the principal causes of the [[French Revolution]] (1789-99).
Deteriorating economic conditions and popular resentment against the complicated system of privileges granted the nobility and clerics were among the principal causes of the [[French Revolution]] (1789-99).