The major political event that marked the shift from monarchies to democratic states in Europe was the French Revolution, which began in 1789. The Revolution challenged the absolutism of monarchies, promoting ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity. It led to the establishment of a Republic and inspired other nationalist and democratic movements throughout Europe. The eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte and the subsequent Napoleonic Wars further spread revolutionary ideals, significantly altering the political landscape of the continent and setting the stage for modern democracies.