The political context of the French Revolution in 1789 was marked by widespread discontent with the absolute monarchy of Louis XVI and social inequality among the three estates. The economic crisis, exacerbated by heavy taxation and poor harvests, led to growing frustration among the common people, particularly the Third Estate, who comprised the majority yet had little power. Enlightenment ideas promoting liberty, equality, and fraternity inspired calls for reform and challenged the traditional social order. The convening of the Estates-General and the subsequent formation of the National Assembly signaled a revolutionary shift in governance. The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, became a symbol of the uprising against oppression.