French and Latin American Revolutions The French Revolution in 1789 happened when the lower and middle classes (the third estate), revolted and took power from the upper classes who had ruled France for centuries. They eventually kidnapped the king and cut of his head (and the head of the queen also). The third estate (98% of the population), were inspired by the democratic ideas of the Enlightenment thinkers and by the American Revolution. They set up a government that focused on the rights of the people rather than the power of the king. Latin American Revolutions were led mainly by Simone Bolivar who helped South American people win their independence from Spain. Spain had ruled Latin America for a couple of hundred years (since Columbus and Cortez came over), but the local people grew tired of being governed by a nation from across the ocean. Latin American people were inspired by the successes of the American and French Revolutions. They saw the Americans and French defeat their kingly rulers and give power to the common citizen. Sample Regents Questions: 1.) In France, which was a major result of the French Revolution? 1.  the king was restored to unlimited power 2.  the clergy dominated government 3.  the middle class gained political influence 4.  the tax burden was carried by the lower class 2.) I will never allow my hands to be idle nor my soul to rest until I have broken the chains laid upon us by Spain.. This statement was most likely made by 1.  a Latin American nationalist 2.  a Portuguese explorer 3.  a Roman Catholic bishop 4.  a Spanish conquistador Answers: 1.) 3 2.) 1