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French Revolution Timespan
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The Third Estate
On January 10, 1789, the Abbe Sieyes wrote a pamphlet called "What is the Third Estate?". In it, he criticized nobility and declared that the third estate was the most significant and important estate, since it was the nation. His words became a famous and popular battle cry of the bourgeoisie. This event was important because it inspired the citizens of France to rebel, and eventually revolt, against the country's government and leaders. -
The Tennis Court Oath
The third estate was locked out of its meeting room as preparations were being made for a royal meeting of the three estates. Angry and confused, the delegates met on an indoor tennis court on the palace grounds instead.They signed an oath to not separate until they had written a new, fair constitution for France. -
The Storming of the Bastille
The Paris mob was determined to arm themselves, due to the prescence of foreign troops in the city streets. First, they attacked the Invalides fortress, from which they took over 30,000 muskets. They then moved on to the Bastille, and old fortress prison that had been viewed for a long while as a symbol of the kng's absolute authority. The mob attacked the Bastille and released the seven prisoners inside. In response, Louis XVI dismissed Jacques Necker, a popular man with the people. -
The Great Fear
Once revolutionary spirit infected Paris, people began to demand cheaper bread and suspension of feudal dues. Many peasants attacked manor homes, and civil unrest grew in the countryside. Aristocratic property was destroyed by peasants. Hysteria spread across the country from July 20 to August 5, 1789, but was eventually put down by militias who enforced law and order. -
Women's March on Versailles
As the rumors of Louis XVI's offensive court party spreads through Paris, it was also said that Louis XVI had stepped on France's national flag. Women lead a march to Versailles demanding bread, and the mob forces the royal family to return with them to Paris. Louis XVI signs the Declaration of the Rights of Man. -
The Royal Family Flees Paris
Convinced by the restlessness in Paris, Queen Marie Antoinette decided that the family must flee. Assisted by a loyal friend, Count Axel Von Ferson, the family escaped. They were recognized in Varennes and escorted back to Paris by the National Guardsmen through taunting and jeering crowds. -
Champ de Mars Massacres
A man named Jacques Pierre Brissot wrote a petition demanding the removal of the king.A large crowd gathered at the Champ de Mars to sign it.The Marquis de Lafayette and the National Guard tried to maintain order, and were successful at resuming peace, but an even larger crowd returned that afternoon, more determined than the first.After appearing to be a threat, the National Guard fired a few warning shots.After failure, they began killing in earnest.The exact number of the dead is unknown. -
The Birth of the Guillotine
The guillotine was invented on October 10, 1789 by a French doctor of medicine: Joseph Ignace Guillotin.Though he never actually created it, he had proposed the idea, since he wanted a more humane method of execution instead of decapitation by an axe, which was messy and took several tries.Though he never invented it, the guillotine was named after him, but he regreted its creation.The guillotine first rose in popularity in the French Revolution,where it was commonly used for executions. -
Execution of King Louis XVI
After six weeks of debating, the Girondins wanting to be compassionate, while the Jacobins wanting to execute him, the King of France was put onto the guillotine and beheaded. -
Execution of Robespierre
Robespierre was abandoned by his followers and accused of being a tyrant. After wanting to extend to emergency powers as well, others felt that the emergencies were over and wanted to go back to regular governing. Robespierre was arrested on July 27 and beheaded the next day.
