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Meeting of the Estates-General
Unable to pay off his debt, King Louis XIV imposed taxes on the nobility. However, the Second Estate forced Louis to call a meeting of the Estates-General to approve his new tax. This was the first meeting in 175 years at Versailles and was held on May 5, 1789. This event is important because it portrays how in debt King Louis XIV is.
Link: https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/392056/viewContent/2849883/View -
National Assembly
Delegates of the Third Estate wanted to wield more power, so they voted to establish the National Assembly on June 17, 1789. Three days later, the delegates found themselves locked out of their meeting room. They then broke into a tennis court and pledged to to create a new constitution, which became known as the Tennis Court Oath. This event is important because it was the first intentional act of revolution.
Link: https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/392056/viewContent/2849884/View -
The Fall of Bastille
Citizens gathered weapons to defend Paris against the attack of foreign troops. On July 14, 1789, a mob searching for gun powder and arms stormed Bastille, a Paris prison.They then gained controlled of the building and killed several prison guards and their commander. This event is important because it symbolizes the act of revolution for the French citizens.
Link: https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/392056/viewContent/2849884/View -
Old Regime is Abolished
On the night of August 4, 1789, noblemen made speeches professing their love of liberty and equality. They then joined the National Assembly in taking away the feudal privileges of the First and Second Estates. This made commoners equal to the nobility and clergy and caused the Old Regime to be abolished. This event is important because it shows how the citizens are destroying the system and are becoming equals.
Link:
https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/392056/viewContent/2849888/View -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
The National Assembly creates a statement of revolutionary ideals, the Declaration of the Rights of Man. This document was published on August 26, 1789 and declared that men are born free, remain free, and are equal in rights. However, this document didn't apply for women. This event is important because it provided men with liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.
Link: https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/392056/viewContent/2849888/View -
A State-Controlled Church
National Assembly gains control of Church lands and declared that Church officials and priests were to be elected and paid as state officials. The proceeds of the Church lands were used to pay off France's large debt. Peasants then became opposed to the assembly's reforms because they're devout Catholics. This event is important because it shows how the government needs money to pay off the country's huge debt.
Link: https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/392056/viewContent/2849888/View -
King Louis XIV Tries to Escape
As the National Assembly reinstated the relationship between church and state, King Luis XIV contemplated his fate as a monarch. Knowing him and his family were in danger, the royal family tried to escape from France to the Australian Netherlands on June 20, 1791. They were then caught at the border and sent back to Paris. This event is important because it represents the royal family's fall of power.
Link: https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/392056/viewContent/2849888/View -
Execution of King Louis XIV
After the National Convention reduced Louis's role from king to commoner and prisoner, the Convention found him guilt of treason. They then voted and sentenced him to death. King Louis XIV was executed on January 21, 1793 by being beheaded. This event is important because it symbolizes the fall of one monarch and the rise of a new power.
Link: https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/392056/viewContent/2849890/View -
Reign of Terror
Robespierre becomes the leader of the Committee of Public Safety in July 1793. He ruled France as a dictator, which caused his period of rule to be known as the Reign of Terror. During this time, thousands of people were sentenced to death for the pettiest of crimes. This event is important because it portrays the rule of a new dictator of France.
Link: https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/392056/viewContent/2849891/View -
Execution of Robespierre
Fearing for their own safety, members of the National Convention turned on Robespierre. They then ordered his arrest and execution. Robespierre was executed on July 28, 1794 by being beheaded, thus ending the Reign of Terror.
Link: https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/392056/viewContent/2849892/View
