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Excessive spending and poor harvests lead to a financial crisis in France
Following France's involvement in the Seven Years War and the American Revolution, France was in an abundance of debt. Also during this time, King Louis XVI was spending large amounts of money, more than he had. Inflation rates rose quickly due to this, and the value of money plummeted. Along with excessive spending, harvests were weak as the crop production was extremely low. All of these economic issues compiled and upset the French public. This led King Louis XVI to call the Estates General. -
King Louis XVI calls the Estates General
Due to years of economic issues, King Louis XVI called the Estates General to solve French issues. There was three estates including the nobility, clergy, and common people. The third estate, the common people, called for economic reforms as they were most affected by these issues. The third estate felt that they had no voice due to the unbalanced voice in politics, as the proportion of population to votes was not equal among estates. This led to the third estate forming the National Assembly. -
First and Second Estates join the Third Estate in the newly formed National Assembly
After the Third Estate had made it clear of the unfairness in French government politics, they created the National Assembly. Soon enough, the other two estates joined. The National Assembly was a new form of government that moved away from traditional monarchy. The power shifted and was more in the hands of the people rather than the royal family. This unification played a key role in furthering the Revolution and initiating actual change within France, such as under the Tennis Court Oath. -
The Tennis Court Oath
The Tennis Court Oath was a meeting that took place in a tennis court following the upsets of the Estates General and the formation of the National Assembly. The members forming the National Assembly all came together and promised "not to separate, and to reassemble wherever circumstances require, until the constitution of the kingdom is established". This meant that they would not rest until a fair government was reached. This was a huge step towards the Revolution and reflected their anger. -
The storming of the Bastille
After a multitude of efforts to reach a fair government in France, King Louis XVI disapproved. This news was upsetting to the peasants of Paris as they wanted a more equal and better life under the new government. So due to their anger, they planned to storm the Bastille prison, free the prisoners, and steal their weapons. This resulted in many deaths and the peasants even decapitated some officials and put their head on sticks. This violent event insinuated fear yet also more revolution acts. -
The Great Fear in the countryside
The Great Fear was a series of peasant rebellions in the countryside. This resulted from the lack of progress being made in the National Assembly, as the third estate and the nobles could not agree. They faced economic issues, such as the high prices of food, and social mistreatment in their peasant class. These rebellions brought further negative attention to the Revolution. It exposed the issues in the National Assembly and the violence in France. This ultimately furthered the Revolution. -
The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
The National Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man to further the individual rights of the people of France. The adoption of this document put a focus on equality within the Revolution. This was also a key document in breaking the social status of the nobles and clergy. Ultimately the Declaration of the Rights of Man allowed more opportunities and rights to the common people of France. This encouraged the common people of France to continue to fight for these rights and equality. -
The Women’s March on Versailles
After bread, the main food source of the common people, became expensive and scarce, women across Paris decided to march on Versailles. Over seven thousand women marched on Versailles demanding that the King insinuate change and help the people of France. This played a key role in weakening the power of the king and showed that the people of France can be powerful when unified. This ultimatley symbolized the shift in the balance of power in France and showed significant changes being made. -
The Constitution of 1791 sets up a constitutional monarchy in France
After years of plans and reforms being made within French government, they finally formed a Constitution. The Constitution established a constitutional monarchy where a legislative power would work with the King to establish laws and deal with political, economic and social issues. This was key in taking away the King's power as this new Constitution was set in stone and the new law of the land. This ultimately was yet another step in stripping away the King's powers and giving it to the people. -
The Legislative Assembly declares war on Austria
After the Constitution was created, the Legislative Assembly became the new legislative power in France. So after Austria criticized the ideas of the Revolution and also increased military presence against France, the Legislative Assembly declared war. This war was ultimately lost by France and exposed the weak force of the unorganized new government. This led to an increase in disapproval and distrust in the government and would soon contribute to the Reign of Terror. -
Louis XVI is executed at the guillotine
Under the new constitutional government, King Louis XVI was not doing well with his lack of power. He was found guilty of 33 charges against the well-being of France and its people. In result of these charges, he was executed by a guillotine chopping off his head. This execution was the beginning of many to come in the Reign of Terror. This not only challenged the monarchy, but it also encouraged a pattern of violence that sparked fear across France. -
Robespierre's Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror was a period of time filled violence and constant killings. A radical group called the Jacobin led by Robespierre encouraged this violence as they believed they were fighting for French republicanism. Any supporters of the monarchy were executed, resulting in between 18,500-40,000 deaths. This death spree gained extreme disapproval from the rest of Europe. Those who once supported the revolution now disapproved. It was the decline of the revolution. -
The Directory is installed
After the Reign of Terror under Robespierre's leadership, French government reformed extremely. The Directory was the new form of government that had a focus on the people and strove to stablize the French government and people. This was a positive step towards ending the revolution and was seen as a bright light into the future. However, the Directory would soon end as Napoleon Bonaparte would soon rise to power in France, overthrowing the Directory.
