A LOT CAN HAPPEN IN 10 YEARS

14 JULY 1789. With the voices of thousands at their back, a mass of angry Frenchmen cried absolument pas – so it’s believed – and stormed the gates of the Bastille, declaring the French Revolution official. This pivotal moment marked the end of one era of French history and the beginning of another, lasting 10 years, culminating in the rule of Napoleon in 1799. But this single act, made up of the efforts of many, started long before by a humble few with savoir faire.

There was an air of change in the late 1700s. It was called Enlightenment. It spoke of ideals such as the natural rights of man which had been lost through destructive and self-serving wars across Europe. But Enlightenment wasn’t only a sentiment felt in Europe. By this time, America had already founded a new nation based on a democratic system – an Enlightening ideal.

At this time, France was divided into three Estates: the Clergy (roughly 1% of the population), the Nobility (2% of the population) and the Third Estate (the other 97% of the population). The king at the time, Louis XVI, had inherited vast amounts of debt from the previous rule, but had maintained a penchant for finer things. To resolve this debt issue, he invited the Estates to a meeting. As much as the Third comprised the majority of the population, it only counted one third of the vote. With angry dissent and a demand for equal representation, they were locked out. And on a small tennis court not far away – it wasn’t always about fighting – under the banner of Enlightenment, a few brave Frenchmen swore that their voices would be heard. So, the French Revolution had begun…