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Adoption of the Third Estate: the National Assembly
Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyès suggested that the Third Estate delegates name themselves the National Assembly and pass laws and reforms in the name of the French people. The Assembly was finalized in a tennis court. Known as the Tennis Court Oath, it promised that they would not adjourn until they had drafted a new constitution for France. This marked the end of an absolute monarchy, instead was a government which represented the people. -
Storming of the Bastille
King Louis XVI assembled troops during a National Assembly Conference. Paranoid that they might be threatened, the Third Estate planned to take arms by robbing the Bastille, a prison, of all it's weaponry. They now had arms to defend themselves. This marked the beginning of the rebellion, when things started to become violent. -
The Flight to Varennes
On the 20th, King Louis XVI, his wife, Mary Antonette, and their immediate family attempted to flee from Paris. They had hopes to create a solution to stop the rebellion. They were soon recognized and stopped in Varennes. This night gave the people justification to overthrow the king for committing treason.. -
Champ de Mars Massacre
Upset that Louis XVI would remain king in a constitutional monarchy, people that advocated an absolute republic rallied in the Champ de Mars. Royalist Lafayette was forced to order a massacre. This fueled the hatred against the throne for the rebels, which may have been a large reason why the Reign of Terror was so brutal. -
Execution by Guillotine
Dr. Joseph Ignace Guillotin proposed of an execution machine that would make killing any suspicious peoples easier and painless. The person would be brought up onto a stage-like platform, and rest his head under a large blade. The blade would fall under the executioner's command. The Guillotine is one of the most known symbols of the French Revolution. -
Death of the King!
Austria and other surrounding countries demanded the French to reinstate Louis XVI into the throne. This was enough evidence that Louis was working with the enemy, another form of treason. Louis XVI was executed by guillotine. Countries all around Europe were horrified by the unprecedented act, monarchies called for war. -
Reign of Terror
When the Committee of Safety took control and Maximilien Robespierre ruled, he commenced the Reign of Terror. He stated that "terror is justice." The death toll has reached more than 16,000 were executed during this time for suspicion of treason. The Reign of Terror may have given birth to the thought that revolutions devour their own children. -
Robespierre is Executed
An entire year passed before official attempted to stop Robespierre's reign. After almost 2,000 deaths, he was arrested and executed by guillotine, an ironic fate. This ended the Reign of Terror and sparked a need for a new government... -
Adoption of the Directory
This government lasted five years, but was responsible for stabilizing the French. It consisted of the Council of 500 (initiated the laws), Council of Elders (votes on laws), and the five directors, which were renewed every year. The directory was key part in defending off foreign nations, and raising leaders that would soon impact the country greatly. -
Napoleon Takes Over
Napoleon Bonaparte was a leader for a long time before taking over the Directory. He was famed as a successful military operator for winning many major battles. In a mischievous plan to replace the Directory, he ended their rule and was put into throne. Although the Directory stabilized the country, they did not excel because they didn't handle it's poverty or it's starvation. Napoleon's success led him to improve the French economy greatly.
