The document summarizes the key events and reasons that led to the French Revolution. It describes the social hierarchy in France prior to the revolution with the First Estate as religious leaders exempt from taxes, the Second Estate as nobles also exempt from taxes, and the heavily taxed Third Estate comprising the majority of the population. Economic troubles and the political incompetence of King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette further contributed to unrest. The formation of the National Assembly and Tennis Court Oath led to the storming of the Bastille and establishment of a constitutional monarchy. The Declaration of the Rights of Man was signed and a Reign of Terror period of mass executions followed before the Directory assumed leadership of the new government.