There was a loud "thunk" as the blade hit, and then a roar of the crowd as another nobleman's head was raised, after being cut off. The French Revolution (1789-1795) was one if not the most bloodiest revolutions ever in history. There were three social classes in France known as the Estates-General. The French revolutionists took the phrase "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" as their slogan into battle (Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia). They were out to win equality, even if it meant sacrificing their own lives for it. Stands between King Louis XVI and the Estates-General are what caused the revolution. Despite their efforts to bring France to a new form government, one, which would serve the common people, France still fell into a state of corruption.
             The Estates-General were made up of the clergy, nobles, and the common people. It was known to have been around since 1302 (Compton's Inter. Encyclopedia) but wasn't really used again until 1788 when King Louis XVI was forced to call the almost forgotten body together again. Most all of the taxes were paid by the common people (third estate), very little were paid by the other two estates. This was one of the reasons that caused the treasury to go dry, which made Louis XVI call the Estates-General together.
             King Louis XVI greeted the Estates-General warmly on May 5 1789. "Sirs, this day which my heart awaited since a long time has finally arrived and I see myself surrounded by the representatives of the nation which I am honored to command. The debt of the state, already immense on my coming to the throne, has accumulated during my reign. The increase in tax has been the unavoidable result and had been rendered more painful by their unequal distribution." (The Fr. Rev. and the Estates-Gen.pg.2) Louis decided to start making the first and second estates pay some taxes, still not as much as the third estate. This did how...