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Estates General Meet
Due to a rough winter with limited crops harvested, King Louis XVI calls for the Estates General to meet the following spring -
Period: to
The French Revolution
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National Assembly Created
The Third Estate proclaims themselves the National Assembly -
Tennis Court Oath
The National Assembly swears the Tennis Court Oath -
Storming of the Bastille
An angry mob of peasants storms the ancient prison in search of weapons. Picture -
Legislation Changes Tithing
Legislation sanctioned by the National Assemby abolished the Church's authority to impose the tithe. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rifghts of Man and Citizen -
Women's March on Versailles
The women were responding to the harsh economic situations they faced, especially bread shortages. They also demanded an end to royal efforts to block the National Assembly, and for the King and his administration to move to Paris as a sign of good faith in addressing the widespread poverty. -
Royal Family Moves
The King and the royal family moved from Versailles to Paris under the "protection" of the National Guards, thus legitimizing the National Assembly. -
Civil Constitution of the Clergy
This legislation made clergy members employees of the state. -
Flight to Varennes
King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette flee Paris disguised as servants and their servants were disguised as nobility. The next day they are arrested at Varennes and are brought back to Paris. Painting: Author Unknown, from the Musée Carnavalet, Paris. -
Constitution of 1791
National Assembly completes the Constitution of France and adjourns on this day. France, under constitution, is now a constitutional monarchy. The king now shared power with the Legislative Assembly, but retained his royal veto and had the power to select ministers. -
Storming of the Tuileries Palace
Thee Paris Commune stormed the Tuileries Palace and massacred the Swiss Guards that protected the king. Marie Antoinetter and her children are thrown into prison. Painting by Jean Duplessis-Bertaux, "Prise du palais des Tuileries" 1793. -
The Second Republic
The National Convention declares that France will be a republic and not a constitutional monarchy. -
Judgement Day
King Louis XVI condemned to death for "conspiracy against the public liberty and the general safety" by a close majority in the National Convention: 361 voted to execute the king, 288 voted against. -
Execution
King Louis XVI, now simply known as Citizen Louis Capet, is executed by guillotine. -
Jacobins Take Control
Jacobins gain control of the Committee of Public Safety. This begins the Reign of Terror. -
Republican Constitution Adopted
The National Convention officially adopts a republican constitution, variously referred to as the French Constitution of 1793 or Constitution of the Year I. It was progressive and radical in several respects, in particular by establishing universal male suffrage. It was ratified by public referendum, but normal legal processes were suspended before it could take effect. Source: Schama, Simon. Citizens. A Chronicle of the French Revolution (1989) -
Marie Antoinettee Executed
Queen Marie Antionette is executed so that she nor her children cannot claim ownership to the French throne. Painting:
'Marie Antoinette on her way to the guillotine' by Jacques-Louis David, 16 October 1793. -
Thermidorian Reaction
Maxilmilien Robespierre and his supporters are exectuted. The Reign of Terror is over. Painting:
The execution of Robespierre and his supporters on 28 July 1794 -
New Constitution
The National Convention writes a more restrictive constitution. Now, only male property owners can vote. -
The Executive Directory Takes Control
The Directory begins its control of the French government. -
Period: to
Directory
The timespan in which the Directory holds executive power in France. -
Coup d'etat
The Consulate is installed with Napoleon's staged coup d'etat. The French Revolution is officially over. 'Napoleon Bonaparte in the coup d'état of 18 Brumaire in Saint-Cloud' by Francois Bouchot. Painting -
Consulate Established
The Constitution of the Year VIII established the position of Consulate as a one year position that was in control of France. Napoleon assumes the role of Consulate and essentially becomes the dictator of France. Napoleon Crossing the Alps by Jacques-Louis David -
Concordat of 1801
The Concordat of 1801 brought the revolutionaries and the Catholic Church back together. It solidified the Roman Catholic Church as the majority church of France and brought back most of its civil status. The Princes of the French Church swearing the Oath demanded by the Concordat of 1801 -
Law of 20 May 1802
Napoleon re-establishes slavery in France's colonial posessions. Slavery had been outlawed during the French Revolution. This action will lead to the Saint Domingue (Haiti) Revolution and eventual breaking away from French rule. -
Battle of Leipzig
The Battle of Leipzig was one of the largest battles to date. French losses were in the region of 70,000 including around 30,000 prisoners with the Allies (Austrians, Prussians, Russians and Swedes) loosing around 54,000 killed and wounded. Source
