What event is often seen as a precursor to the French Revolution?

The meeting of the Estates-General in 1789 is widely recognized as a significant precursor to the French Revolution because it marked the first time in over 175 years that this body had been convened. The Estates-General was a legislative assembly representing the three estates of the realm: the clergy, the nobility, and the common people. The meeting highlighted the growing tensions between the different social classes in France, particularly due to the financial crisis and widespread discontent with the monarchy's inability to address the issues affecting the Third Estate (commoners).

The convening of the Estates-General catalyzed discussions about representation, taxation, and the grievances of the Third Estate, which ultimately led to the formation of the National Assembly. This group sought to challenge the traditional power dynamics and establish a new political order based on principles of equality and popular sovereignty, laying the groundwork for revolutionary changes in France.

The other events mentioned, while significant in the broader context of the French Revolution, occurred after the Estates-General meeting. The signing of the Magna Carta is associated with England's historical struggle for political rights and cannot be directly linked to the French Revolution. The fall of the Bastille occurred later in 1789 and symbolized the uprising against the monarchy but was a result of