Brief Description of the French RevolutionThe French Revolution is a key event in the history of Europe. It began in 1789 and ended in the late 1790s. The main goal of the rebellious French was to get rid of the monarchy that was tearing France apart. The French Revolution followed the American Revolution and was somewhat inspired by the American Revolution. Ideas from the Age of Enlightenment also sparked inspiration among the French. These ideas, along with the destruction of France by the upper class, sparked the revolution. Target Audience The primary audience for this article is Dr. Ernest Enchelmeyer and members of the English Department at Arkansas Tech University. The secondary audience is made up of students interested in European history. Main Causes of the Revolution There are a handful of causes for the French Revolution and they were mostly caused by the failures of the monarchy. One of the main causes of the French Revolution was French involvement in the American Revolution. France's involvement in the American Revolution pushed the French economy to the brink of bankruptcy. The elites' mistreatment of peasants, such as obscenely high taxes, really upset them. The big catalyst that really pushed the lower class over the edge was the poor harvest of 1788 which caused famine and made the economy suffer even more than it already was. Domains of France Three domains governed France. The First Power was composed of Catholic clergy and represented only a very small part of the population. The second estate represented the nobles and it too was represented by a very small part of the population. The third power was made up of ordinary citizens who represented 98% of the population. The First and Second Powers could veto anything that... middle of paper ... the presbytery allowed him to do so without hesitation because he was a proven leader, as evidenced by his many victories in war. The rise of Napoleon marked the end of the French Revolution and Napoleon would lead the French to heights they would never reach again. Conclusion The French Revolution had an impact across Europe in the late 1780s and 1790s. It is arguably one of the most important events in European history. It also reflects the imperfections of humankind. For example, Robespierre started out as a figure of good, but gradually became corrupt as he gained power. This entire event shows how fear can cause complete chaos, as seen in the Reign of Terror. The French Revolution was a dark time for France, but it was ultimately necessary and gave birth to Napoleon who eventually brought France to the top of the world through conquest..