The French Revolution began in 1789 and took on several phases as it progressed and finally ended with the downfall of Napoleon Bonaparte. The first phase occurred from 1789 until around 1794, a time period which included the collapse of the French monarchy and the power being placed in the hands of the people. The second phase (1795-1799) was marked by the power being in the hands of a republic that represented the people called "The Directory", but that proved to have its problems as well. The third phase took place under the leadership of Napoleon, a military genius who was able to simultaneously able to lead the nation to power and poverty. When one looks at the situation, a revolution almost seems inevitable. All previous forms of government were deemed unacceptable so therefore a change was necessary. That is not to say the political structure in France had been stagnant before this time period, however certain conflicts amongst the people called for a more drastic change.
             Factors leading to the revolution included France's economy constantly worsening, the ongoing struggle for power between the aristocracy and the monarchy, and the colonies declaring themselves independent from under the British throne serving as an inspiration. Greed and the quest for equality turned private negotiations into public rebellion amongst the masses. The revolution resulted in a shift in power as well as rights being restored amongst the nation's people. The surrounding countries of Europe and Asia frequently engaged in battle with France due to the nation's determination to strengthen itself and obtain dominance.
             The catalyst for the revolution was the convocation of the Estates General, the gathering of the three separate estates in order to resolve their differences. The third estate soon assumed the title of "The National Assembly" to assert its true representation on the French nation. In the summer o...