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Meeting of the Estates General
In hopes of solving France's financial crisis, King Louis called for a meeting of the Estates General. This meeting was where representatives of the three estates in France met up. This was also the first Estates General meeting since 1614. I think that this event was important to the French revolution because it was the first thing that caused the peasants to form their own assembly. source
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The Tennis Court Oath
This was an oath taken on the morning of June 20th in an actual indoor tennis court. This was where the third estate (the peasants etc.) took an oath to not give up until a French constitution was established. I think that this is important to the French revolution because it showed their commitment to the cause early on.
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Storming of the Bastille Prison
The Bastille Prison was a prison where they kept political prisoners. At the time the prison only had seven inmates, but it wasn't raided to free them. The real reason for the storming of the Bastille Prison was because there was a huge weapons cache. I think this is important to the French revolution because this was the first fight the revolutionaries had.
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Abolition of most of the Ancien Regime
The revolutionaries abolished feudal rights, tithes, privileges for nobles, and unequal taxation. This was a really big step for the revolution because they accomplished most of the stuff they swore to do at the tennis court.
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The Women's March
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New Constitution
The new constitution brought "a limited monarchy" that Louis reluctantly approved. The constitution limited the king's powers and made a "Legislative Assembly" which had the power to make laws and could control declarations of war. I think that this is significant because the revolutionaries have fulfilled the oath they took at the tennis court. Source -
France goes to war with Prussia
The other absolute monarchies around France feared that the revolution in France would lead to revolutions in their countries. Austria and Prussia demanded that the revolutionaries restore King Louis to his position. As a response the legislative assembly declared war. I think this is important because it's the first war that the new France had. Source -
National Convention takes office
After the king got deposed the assembly was dissolved and a new legislature was elected, it was the National Convention. The National Convention abolished the monarchy and declared France to be a republic. Adult men were given the right to vote, however, despite their efforts in the revolution women weren't allowed to vote. I think this is important because it is a step towards a democratic France.
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Jacobins take control
The Jacobins were the more radical side back in the days of the national assembly. One of the most important Jacobins members was Jean-Paul Marat, he was against anybody who still supported the monarchy and wanted them killed. Jean-Paul also was devoted to the rights of the poor. I think this is important because it will lead to the "reign of terror" after the revolution where the revolution devours its own children.
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End of the reign of terror
The reign of terror was a very horrible time. Some of the leading minds of the revolution were executed because they didn't have the same radical opinions as the government. The leader of the radical government, Robespierre, was the radical tyrant that ruled during the "reign of terror." In 1794 some of the members of the national convention turned on Robespierre fearing for their own safety. On July 28th, 1794 he was executed. I think this is important because it was a big turning point.
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