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Storming of the Bastille
The Storming of the Bastille was the first major point of the French Revolution marking a point where the third estate, or the peasants, rose to power and finally spoke out against poverty, using violence to convey their message. The Bastille was a major prison located in the center of Paris. It represented the authority and power of the first estate, or the nobles. The peasants did not want to be taunted anymore so they attacked, destroyed the Bastille, and showed their power. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen was adopted on 08/26/1789. The Declaration was proposed and written by the Marquis de Lafayette and told of the rights of the people in the land based on the natural rights people are born with. It did not however state anything about the rights of women or slavery. This document meant that the French Revolutionists were one step closer to forming their own government and overthrowing the nobles. -
King Louis XVI attempts to flee paris.
This is often referred to as the Flight to Varennes because King Louis XVI, his wife, Marie Antoinette, and their family left to go to a fortress in northern France where the king was hoping he could plan a military campaign to destroy the Revolution. After trying to secretly escape Paris, he was captured in a small town named Varennes and brought to Tuileries Palace. His flight scared other countries as it showed how the middle class was becoming more controlling. -
Champ de Mars Massacre
The Champ de Mars Massacre happened when Jacques Pierre Brissot wrote a petition to remove the king. A crowd gathered in Champ de Mars in Paris to sign the petition, but to maintain safety the National Guard came to disperse the crowd. However the crowd retaliated and the National Guard open fired on the crowd. Around 50 people died. This event demonstrated the restlessness of France to remove the king and overthrow monarchy. Also, it showed how the middle class was becoming more violent. -
Declaration of Pillnitz
The Declaration of Pillnitz happened on 08/27/1791 in the Pillnitz Castle. This declaration stated that the Holy Roman Empire and Prussia would support King Louis XVI to crush the Revolution. Also, it said that Austria would only go to war if all of Europe would go to war with them. This was used to scare the Revolutionists. All of Europe would basically go to war against the Revolutionists. However in the end, when Austria went to war, the Revolutionists prevailed and beat Austria. -
War of the First Coalition Begins
The War of the First Coalition began on 04/20/1792 when France declared war on Austria (Prussia joined soon after). Overall the war with France was fought between Holland, Spain, Austria, Prussia, England, and Sardinia. This war lasted until 1797, and was fought along side the Revolution. The nations fighting France disagreed with the French Revolution and wanted it to end. Battles all throughout Europe erupted; however the French army, with the will to win, eventually would win. -
The September Massacres
The September Massacres lasted from the September 2nd to the 7th. During this time mobs of angry citizens attacked prisons in Paris and killed nearly 1200 prisoners. These killings were caused by rumors that the Prussian army was invading and that there were spies in Paris, mainly priests. This added to the state of mind France was already in, and havoc broke loose and the killings occurred. This was a major massacre that happened very early on in the revolution. -
Battle of Valmy
The Battle of Valmy was a huge victory for the French army early in the War of the First Coalition. The French Army stopped oncoming Prussian troops that were advancing for Paris. This battle was not a big military victory, but a major psychological victory. It showed the power of the new French government, and compelled them to end the monarchy and set up the First French Republic. This battle also improved the morale of the soldiers. -
Execution of King Louis XVI
The execution of King Louis XVI was the major event for the French Revolution. It was the first execution during the Reign of Terror and marked the end of the monarchy in France. King Louis XVI was executed on the morning of 01/21/1793, while a crowd gathered to watch. Later, on Oct. 16 1793, his wife Marie Antoinette was also executed. -
Rise of Maximilien Robespierre
Maximilien Robespierre was the most influential leader during the time of the French Revolution. He was one of the main causes of the Reign of Terror. He saw no mercy in killing anyone who opposed the Revolution, which would lead to his downfall. He was eventually shot, and then executed by using the guillotine. -
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The Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror was a period of violence and executions that happened all throughout France during the French Revolution. It started with the dissatisfaction of the King and the rise of Maximilien Robespierre, a very influential leader of the revolution. The first victim was King Louis XVI. He was followed by nearly 42,000 deaths. The guillotine accounted for nearly 17,000 deaths and became a national symbol. The end of the Reign of Terror began when Maximilien Robespierre was executed. -
Law of 22 Prairial
The Law of 22 Pairial was the basis of the Reign of Terror. Georges Auguste Couthon proposed the law on June 10, and Robespierre gave his full support. This law stated that citizens could accuse anyone of opposing the Revolution. If they were tried, they would most likely lose, and be sent to death. This law also limited the defense of the accused, so most likely anyone accused would be sentenced to death. -
Execution of Maximilien Robespierre
The execution of Maximilien Robespierre marked the downfall of the Reign of Terror. After many deaths and too much bloodshed, Robespierre was overthrown and captured. After being tried, he was labeled an enemy of the Republic and sentenced to death. However, he tried to kill himself by shooting himself in the head, but only hit his jaw. He was the guillotined the next day. -
Peace of Basel
The Peace of Basel was a series of three treaties which ended the War of the First Coalition in the French Revolution. The treaties ended wars with Prussia, Spain, and Hessen-Kassel and established boundaries for these countries. After the treaties were signed, France became a major European country and established its power. -
Constitution of 1795
The Consitution of 1795 was the first constitution during the French Revolution. It was mainly made to end the Revolution, but that would not happen until Napoleon rose to power. This Constitution however was a step in the right direction to end the Revolution and establish order in France. -
Coup of 18 Fructidor
The Coup of 18 Fructidor was an attempt to establish the French Government by making a French Directory, a group of five people to lead the government. They however quickly arrested Royalists and counter-Revolutionists and imprisoned them. Also some members of the Directory used their power to promote their religion and converted many churches to different religions. This would end however after the 18 Brumaire. -
18 Brumaire
The 18 Brumaire was when General Napoleon Bonaparte, an outstanding leader, general, and future dictator, opposed the French Directory and overthrew them. This was one step closer for Napoleon to become dictator and have absolute power and end the French Revolution. -
Constitution of the Year VIII
This document was the final National Constitution for France. It replaced the old Constitution of 1795. It effectively gave all power to Napoleon Bonaparte and named him dictator. It also officially ended the French Revolution. The Constitution provided executive power to three counsels, but the real power was given to Napoleon.
