The French Revolution, which overthrew the monarchy, began in 1789. The revolution was driven by widespread discontent with the social and economic inequalities of the Old Regime, characterized by oppressive taxation, feudal privileges, and a lack of political representation for the common people. The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, became a symbolic act of rebellion against tyranny, leading to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy and eventually the First French Republic. The revolution significantly influenced political thought and led to the spread of revolutionary ideas worldwide, initiating a wave of change across Europe and beyond.