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Meeting of the Estates-General
A meeting of the Estates-General is called by Louis XVI in Versailles to discuss and approve a new tax plan. -
Three Poitevin join the Third Estate and the Tennis Court Oath
Three Poitevin cures decide to join the Third Estate, leaving the Chambers of the Clergy. Accepting the
proposition of the delegate Abbe Sieyes, the Third Estate proclaims itself "The National Assembly." A few liberal
nobles and many clergy join the movement of the Third Estate.
Tennis Court Oath: After being locked out of their meeting room, deputies of the Third Estate assembled on a
tennis court and swore not to separate until a constitutional regime was established. -
Period: to
The National Assembly and the Constitution
The National Assembly appoints a committee of thirty members to draft a constitution. The National Assembly
proclaims itself the Constituent National Assembly, with full authority and power to decree laws; their primary
task is to draw up and adopt a constitution. Necker is dismissed. Demonstrations and speeches take place at the
Palais-Royal. The electors of Paris form a standing committee and a citizens' militia. -
Fall of the Bastille
The storming and fall of the Bastille. -
The End of Feudalism
The end of feudalism and serfdom in France is announced by the National Assembly. -
The Adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of Man
The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man. -
The Women of Paris Invade Versailles
The women of Paris invade Versailles. Parisians, led by a large number of women, march upon Versailles and force the royal family back to Paris, where they take up residence at the Tuileries. Louis XVI is considered by many a "prisoner" in Paris. The Assembly, still in Versailles, declares, in the spirit of the constitutional monarchy, its inseparability from the knig. -
The Civil Constitution
The Civil Constitution of the Clergy is passed. -
Louis XVI and Family Arrested
Louis XVI and his family are arrested while trying to flee from France. -
The Constittution
The Constitution of 1791 is adopted. -
France vs. Austria
France declares war on Austria. -
The National Convention Meeting
The first meeting of the National Convention is held. -
Louis XVI's Trial
Trial of Louis XVI begins. -
Louis XVI and the Guillotine
Louis XVI is sentence to the guillotine. -
Levee en Masse
A National Draft is issued calling for all able-bodied men to enlist in the army. -
Period: to
The Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror sentences 20,000 to 40,000 people to death. -
The Arrest of Robespierre
The National Convention arrests Robespierre. -
The Beheading
Robespierre is beheaeded. -
A New Constitution
A new Constitution is adopted. -
Napoleon Overthrows
Napoleon Bonaparte overthrows the Directory heralding the end of the French Revolution.
