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The Tennis Court Oath
The Third Estate decided to fight for their right and opposed Louis XVI when he did not allow each delegate to vote. The third estate were locked out of a meeting of the Estates General so they decided to met inside a tennis court. They establish the National Assembly and reasoned to draw up a constitution based on popular sovereignty. -
The Fall of Bastille
This event is a symbol of the French Revolution. When rumors spread about royal troops occupying Paris, Most of the people gathered outside the Bastille, a medieval fortress used as a prison to demand weapons and gun poweder. Chaos broke out, killing hundreds in the crowd. The mob broke through the barriers, finding no weapons. -
Civil Constitution of Clergy
National Assembly took over the Catholic Church, they established a national church system with elected clergy. The French monarchy were in charge of making laws and regulations pertaining to the church. At the same time many people are opposed. -
The Royal Escape (King Louis XVI & his wife)
King Louis XVI of France decided to escape with his wife, Marie Antoinette because of their embarrassing situation in Paris. He disguised himself with his family, but their disguises were revealed so they were returned back to Paris, and they were seen as traitors to the revolution. -
The Constitution of 1791
The Constitution replaced the absolute monarchy in France by a limited monarchy.It abolished many “institutions which were injurious to liberty and equality of rights." Also, male citizens that payed taxes were allowed to elect the lawmakers. Old provinces were replaced. It was important because it reflected the Enlightenment goals, ensuring equality before the law for all citizens. -
National Convention
The Jacobins controlled The National Convention which held executive power in France. The Convention voted to abolish the monarchy and declare France a republic. They wanted to dissolve old order. They took lands and titles away that belonged to the nobility. -
Execution of a Monarch
The National Convention held Louis XVI on trial for being a traitor to France. His last words before he was killed were ignored as the crowd and drums masked them. He was sent to the guillotine, where he was beheaded. This is an important part in French Revolution because people now makes decisions by voting. -
The Reign of Terror
People who against the ideas of the Revolution were immediately sent into prison and soon got killed, on the other hand, if any ordinary person said something about the counter-revolutionary, they would end up at the guillotine. There are 40,000 died during this time. -
Constitution of 1795
The National Convention ratified this constitution to established the Directory and it also concentrated on governmental restructuring during this period. "The Directory would have no legislative power, it would have the authority to appoint people to fill the other positions within the government." -
Napoleon becomes Consulate
Napoleon had demonstrated made successes early on in his life. His successes made him ambitious. He became very popular in France as a hero then he became a political leader, He overthrew a Directory and set up a Consulate. He then took up a title of First Consul for life.