A Tale of Two Cities contains many political elements, as the novel is about the different monarchies in France and England. During this time period, set in 1775, France was under aristocratic rule and England was under a stable monarchy. France is under the rule of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. England is led by King George III and Queen Charlotte Sophia. In the novel, a revolution occurs in France (1789 to the late 1790s). A picture of stable England is shown using revolutionary France as a backdrop to highlight the differences between the two countries. England is freer, while the French live in horrible poverty. "The truth is, I am a subject of His Gracious Majesty King George the Third... and as such, my maxim is: Confuse their policy, frustrate their dishonest tricks, upon him we rest our hopes, God. save the King !" (page 276). This quote shows that the king of England is more liked by the people. England had a parliament, France did not. The Revolution initially had some support among radicals in England. This caused some problems with the Conservatives of England because they had just lost the American Revolution. The revolution had lost the support of England. The French people suffered because they had no voice in government. They were under an absolute monarchy, where the king had control over everything. It was called the General Estate, but even then the 3rd estate, which was made up of lower-class Frenchmen, such as merchants and peasants, did not have much say. The 1st and 2nd estates, made up of the clergy and nobility, held most of the power, obviously under the king. During this time, the Reign of Terror was also on the rise. The king is executed and shortly after... halfway through the card... he wants to change these laws that the king subjected the people to. The novel is also based on his love story. He was in an unhappy marriage and found himself falling in love with another woman. A Tale of Two Cities is set in London, England and Paris, France. It occurs between 1775 and 1793. The major events that happen during this time in Europe are the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror. The storming of the Bastille also occurs in the story. This is the time when the angry peasants storm the palace of the king and queen and kill many officials who seek the blood of the king and queen. The American Revolution was a key influence in the French Revolution and also occurred during this period. At the end of the book King Louis XVI is executed. This marks an important event in history as the monarchy was brought to an end. This event took place in January 21, 1793.