How did France transition from monarchy to republic?

France transitioned from monarchy to republic through the French Revolution, which overthrew the monarchy and established a republic.

The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a period of radical political and societal change in France. The revolution was sparked by a financial crisis, resulting from France's involvement in the American Revolutionary War and extravagant spending by King Louis XVI and his predecessor, Louis XV. The crisis led to an increase in taxation, which disproportionately affected the lower classes, leading to widespread discontent.

The Estates-General, a legislative body representing the three estates of the realm (the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners), was convened in May 1789 to address the financial crisis. However, the commoners, who represented the majority of the French population, were outvoted by the clergy and the nobility. This led to the formation of the National Assembly by the commoners, marking the beginning of the French Revolution.

The National Assembly, later renamed the National Constituent Assembly, began to enact social and political reforms, including the abolition of feudalism, the introduction of civil constitution of the clergy and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. These reforms reduced the power of the monarchy and the Church, and increased the power of the people.

In 1792, the monarchy was abolished following the arrest of King Louis XVI after the storming of the Tuileries Palace. The First French Republic was proclaimed on 22 September 1792. The king was subsequently put on trial for high treason and crimes against the state, and was executed in January 1793.

The transition from monarchy to republic was not smooth. It was marked by political turmoil, violence, and the Reign of Terror, a period of intense political and social repression. The republic itself underwent several changes, including the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, who declared himself Emperor in 1804, effectively ending the First French Republic. However, the ideals of the French Revolution, including "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity", continued to influence French and global politics, and France would return to republican government in later years.