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Calling of the Estates General
For the first time in 175 years, the Estates General were summoned by Louis XVI. The three Estates represented different social hierarchy groups. The Third Estate, which represented lower class citizens, only had one vote compared to the Second Estate which had two. When the Deputies were locked out, they went to the tennis court next door and created the Tennis Court Oath, an oath that ensured they would not stop until they got a Constitution. This group formed the National Assembly. -
Storming of the Bastille
Revolutionaries gathered all the weapons they needed to revolt but the one thing missing was gunpowder. They decided to raid the Bastille, where the King kept his gunpowder. The Bastille was a prison which symbolized horrors of the Monarchy. -
Women's March on Versailles
The conditions in France were awful, there was famine, a shortage of food, which caused bread prices to skyrocket. Women decided this was outrageous and wanted to complain to King Louis directly. Angry women marched into Versailles, armed. They got into the queen's quarters and Marie Antoinette barely escaped. Finally, the King agreed to meet with some the women and distribute bread to citizens. -
Flight to Varennes
The King accepted most of the Constitution, but he did not accept reforms that hurt the Church in any way, especially the Civil Constitution of the Clergy. Louis decided it would not be safe in France and fled the country. They had to get to the border of Belgium where he would be guarded by the soldiers there. He and his family wore disguises. A commoner recognized the King and notified the National Assembly. -
Overthrow of the Monarchy
The Assembly votes to abolish the monarchy and establish a Republic in its place. -
Execution of Louis XIV
The National Assembly condemned King Louis XVI to his death after saying goodbye to his wife, Marie Antoinette, and their children, the night before. -
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Reign of Terror
After the death of Louis XVI, the reign of terror began. The purpose of the Reign of Terror was to eliminate enemies of the Revolution. The first victim was the Queen, Marie Antoinette. She was imprisoned along with her children after they were separated from Louis. Maximilien Robespierre said, "softness to traitors will destroy us all. -
Execution of Robespierre
The People of France had enough of the terror and decided that the chaos had to come to an end. Because Robespierre was the leader in the Reign of Terror, the only way to stop it was to stop him. The people of France executed Maximilien Robespierre which marked the end of the Reign of Terror.
