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Estates-General
The Estates-General meets for the first time after 175 years to approve the new taxes imposed on the nobility. -
National Assembly
Delegates of the Third Estate voted to establish the National Assembly, which would put an end to absolute monarchy and better the lives of French citizens. -
The Bastille
A mob searching for gunpowder and arms stroms the Bastille, a prison in Paris. The mob seized control of the building and killed many guards. -
Assembly Reforms France
Noblemen spoke of their love for liberty and equality and joined with the National Assembly to get rid of feudal privledges of the First and Second Estates. By morning the Old Regime was dead. -
Riot in Versailles
Thousands of Parisian women rioted over high bread prices. They demanded that the National Assembly supply bread, then demanded the king and queen to return to Paris after breaking into the palace. -
New Constitution
National Assembly completed the new constitution which limited monarchy. The new constitution also created a new legislative body known as the Legislative Assembly. -
War
Monarchs and nobles were scared by the changes being made in Europe. Contries such as Austria and Prussia took action by urging Louis to regain power. As a result, the Legislative Assembly declared war. -
Tuileries palace invaded
Roughly 20,000 men and women invaded the Tuileries, the palace where the royal family was staying. The mob massacred the royal guards and imprisoned Louis, Marie Antoinette, and their children. -
Execution of Louis XVI
The former king is found guilty according to the National Convention and is sentenced to death. He walks calmly up the steps of the scaffold to be beheaded by the guillotine.
