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Estates-General
The Estates-General of 1789 was the first meeting since 1614 of the French Estates-General, a general assembly representing the French estates of the realm: the clergy, the nobles, and the common people. Summoned by King Louis XVI to propose solutions to his government's financial problems. -
National Constituent Assembly
The National Constituent Assembly was formed from the National Assembly on 17 June 1789, during the first stages of the French Revolution. It dissolved on 30 September 1791 and was succeeded by the Legislative Assembly. -
Storming of the Bastille
The medieval fortress and prison in Paris known as the Bastille represented royal authority in the center of Paris. While the prison only contained seven inmates at the time of its storming, its fall was the flashpoint of the French Revolution. -
French Constitution of 1791
The short-lived French Constitution of 1791 was the first written constitution in France, created after the collapse of the Absolute Monarchy of the Ancien Régime. One of the basic precepts of the revolution was adopting constitutionality and establishing popular sovereignty, following the steps of the United States of America. -
Battle of Valmy
The French revolutionary army defeats Prussians under the Duke of Brunswick after a 7-hour artillery duel. -
Constitution of 1795
The Constitution of 1795 established a liberal republic with a franchise based on the payment of taxes, similar to that of the French Constitution of 1791; a bicameral legislature, to slow down the legislative process; and a five-man Directory. The central government retained great power, including emergency powers to curb freedom of the press and freedom of association. -
18 Brumaire
Was the coup d'état by which General Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew the French Directory, replacing it with the French Consulate. This occurred on 9 November 1799,which was 18 Brumaire, Year VIII under the French Republican Calendar. -
Constitution of the Year VIII
The constitution tailor-made the position of First Consul to give Napoleon most of the powers of a dictator. It was the first constitution since the Revolution without a Declaration of Rights.
