The French Revolution led to another period.
The French Revolution ( Révolution française [ ʁevɔlysjɔ̃ fʁɑ̃sɛːz ] ) was a period of far-reaching social and political upheaval in France that lasted from 1789 until 1799 , and was partially carried forward by Napoleon during the later expansion of the French Empire . The Revolution overthrew the monarchy , established a republic , experienced violent periods of political turmoil , and finally culminated in a dictatorship under Napoleon that rapidly brought many of its principles to Western Europe and beyond .