-
Convocation of the Estates General (Versailles)
The Estates General was organized into three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the rest of France. In 1789, with the French monarchy to the brink of bankruptcy, the king is pressured to call elections for the meeting of the Estates General. It was not made since 1614. -
The National Assembly
The National Assembly (June 17 - July 9, 1789) was a transitional body between the Estates General and the National Constituent Assembly. It put the Revolution in the hands of the moderates, the Girondins. With it France was no longer an absolute monarchy and it was organized as a limited and constitutional monarchy. -
The Tennis Court Oath
The Tennis Court Oath was a union commitment submitted for the 577 deputies of the Third Estate to not be separated until give to France a constitution, facing to the pressures from the king of France, Louis XVI. -
Storming of the Bastille
A crowd launched to the assault of the Bastille prison, an old fortress that had become a symbol of royal despotism. When the news reached Versailles, the king asked, "Is it a revolt?". A minister replied: "No, Sire, is a revolution." -
French Revolutionary Wars
In late August the Emperor of Austria and King of Prussia issued a statement in which they were willing to intervene militarily in France, in defense of the monarchy. They did it because they were afraid that the revolution came to their kingdoms and because emigrants demanded it. In 1792 France declared war on Austria, on which soon to be joined Prussia and Sardinia. -
French Constitution of 1791
It was promulgated by the National Constituent Assembly on September 3, 1791 and accepted by Louis XVI on 14. It contained the French government reform, leaving France set a constitutional monarchy. The Constitution provides that sovereignty resides in the nation and no longer the king. -
Reign of Terror
The Jacobins seized control of the National Convention from the more moderate Girondins and instituted a series of radical measures, including the establishment of a new calendar and the eradication of Christianity. They also unleashed a period in which suspected enemies of the revolution were guillotined by the thousands. Many of the killings were carried out under orders from Robespierre. -
Napoleonic Empire
It was the first French empire. The war justified the enhancement of the power of Napoleon. After the discovery of a conspiracy to assassinate him, he was named himself Emperor by decree in 1804 with the support of a plebiscite, starting the Empire.
