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Establishment of the National Assembly
The delegates of the third-estate voted to start the National Assembly. They ended the monarchy and started a representative government, this was their first act of revolution. This lead to the Tennis Court Oath, the third estate met at a tennis court and swore not to leave until a new constitution was made. -
Storming of the Bastille
People in France were worried that armies were coming to Paris to kill French citizens. Therefore people wanted to be prepared, a group of french people stormed the Bastille prison serching for gunpowder and arms. The angry mob killed several people including guards and then marched around the prison with their victim’s heads. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
The National Assembly decided on a statement that represented their standards in the revolution, the Declaration of the Rights of a Man and of the Citizen. The document guaranteed equal justice, freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Leaders got the expression “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” from these concepts. -
Bread Riots
Since the price of bread kept rising, women struggled to maintain their families, causing a protest against the French government. This led to the stealing of bread and the killing of bakers. Angry women even marched over to Versailles, breaking into the palace and killing some of the guards in the process to demand bread. -
Royal Family Attempts to Flee
Since people warned Louis that he and his family were in danger, he decided to flee. He tried to escape to the Austrian Netherlands but was caught, therefore returning to Paris. His failed attempt to escape led Louis to lose complete power and trust over his people. -
Creation of a New Constitution
The National Assembly finished their constitution and showed it to Louis, which he accepted. This created a constitutional monarchy, Louis lost power but still had the right to enforce laws and the Legislative Assembly was created. They could create new laws, as well as have the right to decide whether or not to declare war. -
Legislative Assembly Declares War
European countries feared that the same revolts would happen in their own countries. Two countries, Austria and Prussia, encouraged France to bring back Louis as an absolute king and so the Legislative Assembly answered them by declaring war. -
Imprisonment of Louis, Marie Antoinette and their children
The Prussian commander threatened the French of destroying Paris if they harmed the royal family. Enraged, about 20,000 men and women stormed the Tuileries, murdering royal guards and imprisoning Louis and Marie Antoinette along with their children. -
Monarchy Abolished
Not taking the constitution into consideration, the Legislative Assembly overthrew the king, ended the assembly and elected a new legislature. The new governing group was called the National Convention and they ended the monarchy, making France a republic. -
Louis XVI Executed
Since France was no longer a monarchy, Louis had no power, being a common citizen and prisoner. The National Convention made Louis go to trial for treason (betraying his country). He was found guilty and so he was beheaded with the guillotine.
