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Meeting of the Estates General
This was the representative assembly of the three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the Third Estate, or the majority of the population. During this, the Third Estate realized that they made up a majority of the population, and this led to the creation of the National Assembly. -
Storming of the Bastille
A mob of Parisians seized the Bastille, a prison on the east side of Paris. It was a symbol of royal tyranny. The mob came to demand the ammunition supply. When the governor of the prison did not let them in, the mob charged. There was a battle, and the mob took hold of the building. -
The Declaration of the Rights of Man & Citizen
A document issued by the National Assembly that incorporated the ideas of some of the Enlightenment Thinkers, which included Locke and Rousseau. "Men are born free and remain equal in rights." It made all French citizens equal under law. -
Women's March on Versailles
A mob made up of thousands of women marched from Paris to Versailles, which was 12 miles, because of the food suffrage. The crowd wanted to speak to the king, and wanted Marie Antoinette dead, too. Lafayette and the National Guard had to calm the crowd. The women demanded that the king returned to Paris with them, and he agreed. -
France Declares War on Austria
The Legislative Assembly declared war on Austria to spread the revolution and get rid of tyranny. The French army grew stronger and more successful throughout the war. -
The Execution of King Louis XVI
King Louis was found guilty of treason. There was evidence of conspiracy with other foreign powers, and he was sentenced to execution by guillotine. -
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Reign of Terror
The Committee of Public Safety took harsh measures against suspected enemies of the Revolution. Many people were executed during this time period. People were killed if they were hoarders, priests, or nobles. -
Execution of Marie Antoinette
There was a two-day trial that started on the 14th of October. After these two days, she was found guilty of high treason and was executed by guillotine. -
Execution of Robespierre
Robespierre was the leader of the executions but was overthrown. He was then sentenced to be executed by guillotine. With his death, moderates were able to take control. -
Napoleon's Coup d'etat
This effectively ended the Revolution. It was a sudden overthrow of the government. It was violent, and warfare after this did not end. This made way for Napoleon Bonaparte to come through as ruler.
