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Estates General meet at Versailles
King Louis XVI called for the Estates General to meet to consider how to best handle the French Debt. It was composed of representatives of all three estates. -
Third estate declares itself the National Assembly
Declared themselves an assembly of the people, not of the estates, after facing unfair taxing. They wanted to become independent, and think for themselves. -
Oath of the Tennis Court is Sworn
French Third estate took this oath and vowed not to do anything until the constitution of the kingdom was established -
Storming of the Bastille
Took place in Paris. This was an attack by the people on the government of France. This event signaled the start of the revolution -
Period: to
The Great Fear
A period of panic and riot by peasants. It was sparked by rumors of "aristocratic conspiracy” by the king with threats to overthrow the Third Estate. Many things, such as houses and other necessities, were destroyed in this process. -
National Assembly issues Declaration of the Rights of Man
After much backlash and many unhappy citizens, the National Assembly issued the Declaration of the Rights of Man. It defined individual and collective rights for the citizens of France. -
Women march on Versailles
The people were unhappy with the current king, Louis XVI. They marched to the Palace of Versailles and demanded that the king responded. They eventually go him to return to Paris, where he would be responsible for the people there. -
National Assembly confiscates church land
Due to a financial downfall, the National assembly decided to confiscate all church land. The church was then put under control of the State. Clergymen had to swear to an oath of the new Constitution, and if they didn't, they were placed under arrest. -
Clergy Establishes National Church
The Clergy established a document called the Civil Constitution of the Clergy in an attempt to reform the catholic church of France. It passed and all popes/clergy had to swear to an oath of loyalty to the state. -
Royal Family is Arrested
The Royal Family was arrested while attempting to flee France. Louis XVI was overwhelmed with the revolution, and decided to flee Paris to escape his problems. This wasn't the greatest ideas, because he and his family were caught and arrested. -
Louis XVI is executed
Louis XVI was executed due to a thought of treason. He was accused of betraying the French nation to the Austrians. He practically brought the entire French Revolution crashing down on top of himself.
