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Meeting of the Estates General
The Estates General happened to be the only way for King Louis XVI to get tax on nobility approved. So much debt had been caused by wars and overspending. -
Third Estate creates National Assembly
The National Assembly plays a major role in the French Revolution since it was created by the third estate and branched off the Estates General. The third estate believed it was an unfair advantage for the other two estates so they left. -
Tennis Court Oath
Soon after the formation of the National Assembly, the third estaters had been locked out of a meeting between the Estates General, these people took an oath not to disband until a new Constitution is developed. -
Storming the Bastille
The Bastille acted as a symbol for The monarchy's dictoral rule. This event acted as the true start of the Revolution as it was the first act of violence due to the economic troubles while the peasants ended victorious. -
The Great Fear
In response to hearing many rumors, from the famine plot to Austrian soldiers coming into France, the Great Fear caused great fear to the French peasants and lower class. The uprising of unrest and panic caused many massive amounts of destruction, including the storming of the Bastlle. (July 19- August 3) -
August Decrees and Declaration of Rights of Man
A turning point in government happened through these two documents. Overall, it was the end of feudalism and all males had equal rights. Just as well, it eliminated nobility and made church a part of government. -
Women's March on Versailles
Also known as the Bread March of Women, soon after the Bastlle had fallen and the Tennis Court Oath taken, there was still a dramatic increase in the bread prices and as well as shortages. The poor working class women of France took with them weapons and marched. -
Louis and Mary try to escape
The King and Queen believe they will soon be executed after all the terrible years of ruling. The plan for them was to flee to the Netherlands, although it was stopped short. They were caught when making their way to the border as someone recognized him through his peasant costume with the French currency. -
Legislative Assembly
Became the legislature for France, soon being replaced by the National Convention. The group had soon been overrun by a group to the left, the Jacobins. These radicals consisted of most of the National Convention. -
France at War
The summer of 1792 began badly for the French as Prussian forces were advancing on Paris. This then led to the enraged Parisians capturing the Royal Family and the September Massacres. The Legislative Assembly also set aside a new Consitution and the National Convention was brought into play. -
Revolutionarie's Cockades
These men started wearing red, white, and blue Cockades/badges. The white represented the House of Bourbon while the blue and red represented Paris. It had such a sting influence that later the flag became composed of red, white, and blue. -
National Convention begins
The National Convention governed France through the most crucial time of the French Revolution. It was elected to provide a new constitution after the abolishment of the monarchy. One prominent member included Robespierre of the Jacobins. -
Louis XVI is killed
The most prominent murder weapon through out France had taken the life of Louis, the guillotine. The Convention put him up for treason as he was found guilty. They didn't want the gains made during the French Revolution to be lost. He was executed out of fear. -
Robespierre elected to Committee of Public Safety
After he successfully fought for putting Louis XVI up for treason, many citizens came to a defense for his decision-making. He soon became the leader of the Committee of Public Safety and began exercising dictoral control over the French Government. -
Reign of Terror
Horrifying and brutal acts took place at this time as at least 10,000 died in prisons and 17,000 were official executed mostly by the guillotine. Faced with possible civil war and foreign invasion became the reason for this 11 month long time period. -
End of Reign of Terror
Robespierre and his allies were placed under arrest by the National Convention. Yet a warden declared to not jail him and he fled to a hotel. There Robespierre heard he had been declared an outlaw and tried to shoot himself although he only wounded his jaw. He was then seized and guillotined along with 21 others without a trial. -
Hero of the Hour
The battle between French Revolutionary troops and Royalist troops helped Napoleon to become a national hero. The win of the battle in the streets of Paris extinguished the threat to the Convention. He became a national hero and was quickly promoted to general. -
The Directory is Established
Became a bicameral legislature that lasted only 4 years. It was run by five moderate men who most were corrupt and made themselves rich at the country's expense. They also found the right general to command France's armies, Napoleon Bonaparte. -
Napoleon Bonaparte named "First Consul"
Napoleon gave in many reforms as he was promoted first consul to a dictator. His reforms helped to education as well as control banks for France's economy. These reforms impacted France in a very positive way. -
Napoleon is consecrated as Emperor
Well known as one of the greatest leaders and Generals by the people, Napoleon crowned himself as the first emperor of France. His Emoeror coverec most of Europe as he won many battles from the time he ruled.
