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Estates General Meeting
King Louis XVI calls the Estates General Meeting after a 175-year hiatus. It is basically a meeting of representatives of the Three Estates, and although the First and Second Estate made up only 3% of the population, they were able to out vote the Third Estate, which made up 75% of the population. -
National Assembly Formed
At the Estates General, representatives from the Third Estate, like Robespierre, are locked out of the meeting. This prompts the deputies to form a group known as the National Assembly to truly represent the people of France. -
Tennis Court Oath declared
After being locked out of the Estates General, the deputies go to a tennis court where they take an oath. As members of the National Assembly, Third Estate represents swear to continue to meet and fight until there is a new constitution. -
Storming of the Bastille
Bastille was a prison infamous for torturing their inmates and also housed gunpowder, which the people needed for the Revolution and also a symbol of the oppressive monarchy. The people stormed the prison, killing many, including Bernard-René de Launay, whom they beheaded. Later, they tore Bastille apart by hand. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man Written
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was a manifesto calling for the end of tyranny and the creation of a representative government with equality. They demanded a constitutional monarchy, freedom of press, justice (with reasonably laws) and equality. -
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Legislative Assembly makes laws in France
The Legislative Assembly consisted of three groups: the Conservatives, Moderates, and Radicals. At first, many most bourgeoisie were Moderates but after the King's attempt to escape, many turned Radical. Under this new Assembly, Robespierre gained even more power and resulted in the King's execution. -
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Legislative Assembly makes laws in France
The Legislative Assembly consisted of three groups: the Conservatives, Moderates, and Radicals. At first, many most bourgeoisie were Moderates but after the King's attempt to escape, many turned Radical. Under this new Assembly, Robespierre gained even more power and resulted in the King's execution. -
Execution of King Louis XVI
King Louis feels threatened by the Revolution so he tries to escape to Austria to use their army. He was caught before reaching Austria so he was executed. -
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Committee of Public Safety governs France
This was a 12-man council which ruled France as a collective dictatorship. Their leader was Maximilien Robespierre. -
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Committee of Public Safety governs France
This was a 12-man council which ruled France as a collective dictatorship. Their leader was Maximilien Robespierre. -
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The Reign of Terror
An incredibly bloody period, the Reign of Terror was a time in which Robespierre had everyone against the Revolution killed. The slightest mishap could result in a person's visit to the guillotine. This was justified by the reasoning that the ends justify the means. -
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The Reign of Terror
An incredibly bloody period, the Reign of Terror was a time in which Robespierre had everyone against the Revolution killed. The slightest mishap could result in a person's visit to the guillotine. This was justified by the reasoning that the ends justify the means. -
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Dechristianization
Robespierre believed the root of all problems was religion, and it was not based on reason, so they decided to destroy Christianity (not just the Church's power). They killed many clergy and revels by drowning, firing squads, and other unusual methods. Robespierre also created a new supreme power named Marat. -
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Dechristianization
Robespierre believed the root of all problems was religion, and it was not based on reason, so they decided to destroy Christianity (not just the Church's power). They killed many clergy and revels by drowning, firing squads, and other unusual methods. Robespierre also created a new supreme power named Marat. -
Execution of Maximilien Robespierre
Robespierre makes the mistake of announcing he has a list of the next traitors which scares the other leaders, resulting in his arrest (and attempted suicide). The execution of Maximilien Robespierre ends the Reign of Terror and the Revolution. -
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The Directory controls France
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The Directory controls France
The Directory was a temporary government after the Reign of Terror. It was a group of 5 men who tried to prevent violence, but because of their weakness, Napoleon was able to seize power. -
Napoleon takes over in a coup d’etat
Due to the Directory's weakness, Napoleon and his troops were able to seize power. Lawmakers decided to establish three consuls with Napoleon being the first consul. -
Napoleon signs Concordat with Catholic Church
The Concordat was an agreement between Napoleon and Pope Pius VII. This agreement recognized the importance of the Church but did not allow it to have any control in the government. -
Napoleon creates the Napoleonic Code
The Napoleonic Code was a system of laws which finally gave France a uniform set of laws and decreased the number of injustices. However, it limited freedom of press, speech, restored slavery. -
Napoleon crowns himself emperor of France
Napoleon made himself emperor in a grand robe as he walked down the Notre Dame in Paris. After this, Napoleon basically became a dictator. -
Napoleon dies after he is banished to island of St. Helena
After a series of losses in terms of his military, Napoleon was given to the British by the French. He was then sent to St. Helena where he died.
