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Estates General Called
King Louis the 16th called a meeting of Estate Generals due to the French Government having financial issues. The Three Estates involved in the assembly were the Clergy, Nobility, and the Commoners. Together these three Estates had the power to levy the new taxes and to undertake reforms in France. The calling of the Estate Generals and May 5th, 1789 also marked the start of the French Revolution. -
National Assembly Formed
The National Assembly was created on June 14th and was the first revolutionary government of the French Revolution. The National Assembly was disbanded and was reformed as the National Constituent Assembly until September 30th 1791. -
Tennis Court Oath
Unhappy with the result of the Estates generals meeting, many of the Third Estates Representatives left the meeting and gathered at a tennis court nearby to take what is known as the tennis court oath. I was in the tennis court oath that the national Assembly was established. The newly formed Revolutionary Government pledged not to disband until the constitution of the kingdom was established. -
The Storming of the Bastille
On July 14th 1789, a State Prison on the east side of Paris called Bastille was attacked by an enraged mob. The prison was a symbol of the Monarchy's dictatorial rule and this became one of the defining moments in the French Revolution. When the Prison was attacked it held only seven prisoners, that what the mob was not after. They were after the huge ammunition stores inside the prison, and after the prison governors refusal to give it to then a brutal battle took place. -
Constitutional Monarchy Formed
The Constitution of 1791 was the revolutionary governments first attempt at a written constitutional document. It was partially motivated by the American Revolution and it was intended to define the limits of power in the new government. By the time the constitution was finally adopted the situation in France had changed significantly and the constitution was no longer fit. -
King Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette Beheaded
Louis the XVI was the last Bourbon King of France and was put on the guillotine on January 21 1793 for treason. His wife, Marie Antoinette the daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor Francis was beheaded nine months later .After a ton a government missteps, King Louis brought the French Revolution crashing down on himself. -
New National Convention
The National Convention was elected to provide a new constitution for the country. after the overthrow of the government 40 days prior on August 10 1792. The convention involved 749 people including businessmen, tradesmen, and many more professionals. -
Reign of Terror Begins
With the civil war making its way over from Vendee and hostile armies surrounding France, the French Revolutionary Government to make "Terror" the order of the day and started taking harsh measures against people that were suspected to be enemies of the revolution. In Paris a wave of executions followed. The terror also had an economic side. There was a price control demanded by the lower class of Paris and also a religious side where they wanted a program of dechristianization. -
Reign of Terror Ends
The Nation convention voted to arrest Robespierre based on his actions and one July 28th 1794, soldiers stormed into where Robespierre was staying. As the soldiers arrived he attempted to kill himself via gunshot to the head but he missed and instead shattered his jaw. Robespierre was held captive for the rest of the day and ended up being guillotined without a trial. With his death the fear and paranoia of the revolutionaries and the rain of terror ended. -
Legacy of the French Revolution
The legacy of the French Revolution were the ideas of liberty and democratic rights. It influenced many other countries such as Germany, Italy, and Australians to overthrow their regressive governments. They demanded liberty, equality, and justice from their colonial leaders which finally lead to their struggle for their national freedom. The declaration of Rights of Man and citizens gave rights such as the right to freedom, right to life,freedom and speech, and equality before law.