Chapter 22 : The French Revolution Under the rule of King Louis XVI, France's nobles enjoyed power and privilege while the majority of the people paid high taxes and had little say in the government. In 1789 social injustice, economic distress, and Enlightenment ideas combined to spark the French Revolution. The King's refusal to recognize constitutional monarchy early in the Revolution led to his overthrow. In 1791 a New French Constitution was presented to the people. Instability in power eventually brought general Napoleon Bonaparte to power in 1799. Naming himself emperor, he conquered much of Europe by 1815. At that time France's enemies and French nationalists defeated Bonaparte. The Congress of Vienna organized to achieve European stability and restore the French monarchy.