Did you know, that in ancient times, people who were called Guals, lived in the region called France. It started in 800 A.D, the French emperor, Charlemagne, made France a large, powerful kingdom. Also, after the 10th century, France was ruled mostly by a series of monarchs, and monarchies.
Louis the 14th, was known as the Sun King. He built the fabulous Palace of Versailles. He was building grand palaces, AND paying for the war. The other rulers that followed Louis the 14th, continued to tax the people heavily, despite the severe food shortages.
On July 14, 1789; the crowds of France stormed and old fortress and the royal prison in central Paris called Bastille. King Louis the 16th was over thrown! On September 21, 1792; France was now declared a republic. The new French republic, soon had to defend itself from attacks from nearby countries. The French forces successfully pushed the foreigners away.