4 French Revolution Facts

Prior to the beginning of the French Revolution peasants were so poor and the cost of food so high that many starved to death. A loaf of bread was equal to a week's wages.

The rich were born rich - and vice versa. A person could not work to become wealthy - it could only happen by birth. The French Revolution changed this dismal fate for France's citizens.

While the poor in France were starving the wealthy lived a life of extravagance. This imbalance caused extreme resentment and anger. The poor had to pay taxes to the king while the rich did not.

When the French Revolution began and the Bastille was stormed on July 14th, 1789, only seven prisoners were found inside.

The French revolutionaries stormed the Bastille in search of gunpowder; they were not as interested in the prisoners.