French Revolution

Rachel Hammersley discusses how events in the 1640s and 1680s in England established a tradition that inspired French thinkers on the path to revolution a century later.

In 1789, Catholicism was the official religion of France – five years later worship was suppressed. The French Revolution posed problems for religion, but religion also posed plenty of problems for the new republic.

Thomas Paine inspired and witnessed the revolutions that gave birth to the United States and destroyed the French monarchy. A genuinely global figure, he anticipated modern ideas on human rights, atheism and rationalism. 

Already rocked by defeats in the War of the Spanish Succession, Louis XIV’s France faced economic meltdown as the chaotic nature of its finances became apparent. Guy Rowlands discovers striking parallels with the current credit crunch as he charts the crisis that was to lead, ultimately, to the French Revolution.

Richard Cavendish charts the life of Robespierre, who was born on May 6th, 1758.

The life and career of one of the most vilified men in history.

Richard Ballard looks at how events in the opening years of the French Revolution took shape in a town three days’ journey from Paris.

Graham Goodlad assesses the success of British governments in responding to the demands of war, from the French Revolutionary conflict to the 1914-18 struggle.

Louis XVI was born on August 23rd, 1754, in the palace of Versailles.

The essay entitled 'How important was the press in the desacralisation of the French monarchy in 1789?', by Olivia Grant of St Paul's Girls' School, was awarded the Julia Wood Prize out of 136 entries. An edited version appears below; a second award was made to Richard Eschwege of City of London School for an essay on Pope Gregory VII.