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The Tennis Court Oath
When deputies of the Third Estate arrived at their meeting place, the doors were locked, so they moved to an indoor tennis court. Here they swore to keep meeting unitl they drafted a French constitution. -
The Storming of the Bastille.
Parisians stormed the armory and prison and then dismantaled it brick by brick to send a message to the king that he can no longer control them. They also gained some weapons and ammo. -
The Great Fear
The Great Fear spread across the country. Once the revolutionary spirit seized control of the people of Paris, people in surrounding areas began to demand cheaper bread and suspension of feudla dues. Civil unrest grew in the countryside, with many peasants attacking manor homes. Aristocratic property was destroyed by the peasantry. From July 20 to August 5, 1789, hysteria spread across the country, but was gradually put down by militias that imposed law and order. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
Inspired by the Declaration of Independence and the American Constituiotion, this charter of basic liberties affirmed that every French citizen has the right to freedom. -
Women's March on Versailles
There was little to no food for the people of the lower class. Fights were always breaking out amongst the people to find food for their families. Finally, the woman of Paris, also known as the “Fish Woman” had enough. Grabbing pitch forks, canons, cleavers, and any other weapons they could get their hands on and marched to the king’s palace in Versailles. They demanded either to have bread or the queen, Marie Antoinette’s head. But the royal family escaped. -
Louis XVI and his family were arrested
arrested while trying to flee from France -
France declared war on Austria.
The rulers of Austria and Prussia stated that if France does not restore power to the king they would invade and make sure he gets his power back. France didn't like this so they declared war on Austria. -
The First meeting of the National Convention was held.
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Execution of Louis XVI
After six weeks of debate in the National Convention, with the Girondins wanting clemency for the king, whereas the Jacobins wanting to execute him. On January 21, 1793, the French government sent its former king to the guillotine. -
The Sans-Culottes
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Execution of Marie Antoinette
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The execution of Robespierre
Robespierre was obsessed with getting rid of all of France's corrupt element. His power became to large and the National Convention gathered enough votes to condemn him. After his death, the revolution began to die down.
