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Deficit Spending and Economic Reform
Louis XIV had left France in major debt. The Seven Years War and the American Revolution put the country in even more debt. The government either had to raise taxes, reduce expenses, or both. Louis XVI had chosen a financial expert as an advisor named Jacques Necker. He urged the king to reduce court spending and reform the government. But when he suggested that they start taxing the first and second estate, the nobles and clergyforced the king to dismiss Necker. -
Louis calls the Estate-General
After 175 years, the Estates-General was summoned. The Third Estate delegates were mostly lawyers, middle-class officials, and writers. From the start, the delegates were trying to fix the voting. They thought that the votes should be counted by head and not by section where they are always outvoted. In June, the Third Estate took a daring step and declared themselves the National Assembly. When their meeting hall was locked up, they moved to a tennis court and took the Tennis Court Oath. -
Battle at the Bastille
On July 14, 1789, more than 800 Parisians gathered outside the Bastille, demanding gunpowder and weapons. The Bastille was a grim medievil fortress used as a prison, housing several political and other prisoners. When the commander refused to open the gates, his men opened fire on the crowd of people. Many people that were part of the crowd were killed but they were able to break through the defences. They killed the commander and 5 gaurds but were not able to find any weapons. -
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The National Assembly Acts part 1
The National Assembly On August 4th, 1789, the nobles finally gave up their special privileges causing the dawn of a new revolution. With this, the National Assembly meet a key Enlightenment goal which was making all men equal before the law. Later in August, the National Assembley issued the Declaration of the Rights of man and the Citizen. It announced that all men were born and remain free and equal in rights including natural rights. -
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The National Assembly Acts part 2
Women March to Versailles On October 5, 1789, about six thousand women marched from Paris to Versailes demanding to see the king. They wanted the king to return to Paris. The king unwillingly agreed to it and the women esscorted him and his family to Paris. When he gets there, he is kept there almost like a prisoner. The National Assembly soon moved to Paris as well. -
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The National Assembly Acts part 3
The new flag of France In 1790, the French Catholic Church fell under the state's control. Many people were against this and those who refused to support it, then they would get punished. In 1791, the Nation Assembly completed its main task and created the Constitution of 1791. This sets up a limited monarchy instead of an absolute monarchy as well as ensures equality to all men. -
Threats from abroad
The king of Prussia and the emperor of Austria, who was the brother of MarieAntoinette, issued the Declaration of Pilnitz which states that they will intervene to protect the French monarchy. France took this seriouslyand got ready to go to war. This will caue the revolution to enter a new, more radical phase of change and conflict. -
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Civil War
A sans-culotte The Civil War was between several different groups of people, such as the sans-culotte, who had different ideas for the new government. The fighting lasted until 1794 but conflicts continued until about 1797. The French army took no part in the fighting because there was no one who could control the army. -
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Monarchy is Abolished
King Louis XVI On August 10, 1792, a mob invaded the royal palace who wanted to slaughter the king, The king and his family were able to escape the mob just before the mob arrived. A month later, citizens attacked prisons holding nobles and supposed traitors, killing up to 1200 prisoners. During the convention held in September, they put the king on trial. -
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Monarchy is Abolished
The king on the day of his beheading Louis XVI was found guilty of treason due to several reasons such as trying to escape France. On January 21, 1793, the king was beheaded. It was not till months later when the queen was also beheaded. -
Nationalism Spreads
Revolution and war had given France a strong sense of national identity. The citizens soon devolped a strong pride in their country called nationalism. From this, troops began marching under a new song called "La Marseillaise". This song would later become the national anthem. -
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The Reign of Terror
<ahref='http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/Robespierre.jpg/225px-Robespierre.jpg' >Robespierre</a>Robespierre, a shrewed lawyer and politician, was one of the chief architectsof the Reign of Terror. During this time period, many people were exectuted because they were acussed of being a traitor. 300,000 were arested and 17,000 were executed. Within a year, the Terror had ingulfed those who had started it. On July 27, 1794, Robespierre was arrested. Was executed the next day -
The Third Stage of the Revolution
On August 22, 1795, a new Constitution was made. This would set up a five man Directory that would last until 1799. Peace would be made with Prussia and Spain but Britain and Austria would continue being at war with France. By 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte would take over France and become Emperor.
