The main purpose of the French Revolution, which began in 1789, was to challenge the absolute authority of the monarchy and address the inequalities faced by the Third Estate—common citizens who were heavily taxed while having little political power. The revolution aimed to establish principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity, ultimately overthrowing King Louis XVI and abolishing feudal privileges. It led to the establishment of a republic and inspired widespread change across Europe, laying the groundwork for modern democratic movements and significantly impacting political philosophies worldwide.