European History: The French Revolution: Bastille to Bonaparte

From 1789 to 1797, the first American president, George Washington, was engaged in the daily business of building an independent democratic country. Meanwhile, over in Europe, there was a revolution going on in France. The French Revolution lasted a decade: 1789 - 1799. France was on its way to embracing democracy just like the Americans. They hit a few bumps in the road, it took about 80 years, but eventually, they arrived at their desired goal.  They got sidetracked by an ambitious man who declared himself emperor.  Napoleon Bonaparte was quite a dashing figure riding on horseback.  But the French citizens did not have an emperor in mind.  

"The French Revolution: From Bastille to Bonaparte".