The political upheaval in France that marked the transition to modern democratic governance was the French Revolution, which began in 1789. It was characterized by the overthrow of the absolute monarchy, radical social and political change, and the assertion of popular sovereignty. The Revolution not only dismantled feudal privileges but also laid the groundwork for democracy by introducing principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity. Key documents, including the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, established human rights as a cornerstone of the new political order. The legacy of the Revolution significantly influenced subsequent democratic movements worldwide.