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The French Revolution has been seen as a world-altering event. The revolution demolished a long standing monarchy and showed that it was a natural form of government. The Revolution also showed that it was possible to change society, using reason, for the better and worse. The French Revolution inspired many to agitate for democracy and equality around the world. It also unleashed an extraordinary amount of violence and paved the way for Napoleon's takeover of France. Many historians (not all) have argued that the French Revolution can be seen as the start of the modern world.
===Top Ten===
William Doyle. ''[http://<a%20%20href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0198731744/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0198731744&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=be7246ce65a158034b7c09eefe8cc944 The Origins of the French Revolution]''. (1990).
This work is a synopsis of the events that led to the Revolution. It particularly focuses upon the French monarchs’s role in unwittingly starting the Revolution. The French monarchy was actually reforming itself and this resulted in the formation of political opposition to the royal government for the first time in centuries. This together with the spread of ideas on democracy and equality undermined the royal government. Ultimately, this lead to a revolt of the French people against the King.
Roger Chartier and Lydia Cochrane. ''[http://<a%20%20href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0822309939/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0822309939&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=bdb5a6c1f7faaa152d6b9eb682f386c2 The Cultural Origins of the French Revolution]'' (1991).
The cause of the Revolution was because of changes in the culture of France. Due to the Enlightenment and growing levels of literacy, people began to question the existing political system of France. Many French citizens came to believe that the Royal government was deeply flawed. This ultimately led to the monarchy losing support especially among the middle class. When the kingdom was beset by a series of socio-economic crises the government failed to act success and the population became eager for dramatic change. This led to the Revolution and the fall of the French Monarchy.
George Lefebvre. ''[http://<a%20%20href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0231085982/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0231085982&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=d026352e0fb60ca541284ea01a5b6e4d The French Revolution] (Volume One)''. Penguin Books (1962).
The first volume of Lefebvre work is concerned with the origins of the Revolution. Lefebvre argues that the Revolution was a result of an ‘Aristocratic Revolution’. The Church and the nobility became increasingly frustrated with the government of Louis XVI, which was increasingly autocratic and disregarded their privileges. This led them to demand changes, such as the convening of the Estates General, to protect their privileges. The French elite demanded changes to the royal system but events spun out of control and a popular revolution occurred, that led to the fall of the monarchy and the destruction of aristocracy.
