-
National Assembly
The Third Estate declares the National Assembly. -
Tennis Court Oath
Members of the Third Estate take the Tennis Court Oath demanding certain rights from the king. -
Storming of the Bastille
The French Revolution begins with the Storming of the Bastille. -
Declaration of the Rights of man and of the Citizen
The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of man and of the Citizen. -
Versailles Riot to Lower Bread Prices
A large group of women and men march from Paris to Versailles to demand lower bread prices. They force the king and queen to move back to Paris. -
Jacobin Club
The Jacobin Club is formed. Its members become some of the most radical leaders of the French Revolution. -
Flight to Varennes
The "Flight to Varennes" occurs when the royal family, including King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, attempt to flee France. They are captured and returned to France. -
King Louis Signs the New Constitution
King Louis XVI formally signs the new constitution. -
Legislative Assembly is Formed
The Legislative Assembly is formed. -
The September Massacres
The September Massacres occur between September 2 - 7. Thousands of political prisoners are killed before they can be freed by royalist troops. -
The Guillotine becomes the Official Method of Execution
The guillotine becomes the official method of execution. -
France Declares War Against Austria
France declares war against Austria. -
The National Convention is Created
The National Convention is established. -
The First French Republic is Founded
The First French Republic is founded. -
King Louis XVI is Executed
King Louis XVI is executed by guillotine. -
Civil War Breaks
Civil war breaks out in the Vendee area of France between revolutionaries and royalists. -
The Committee of Public Safety is Formed
The Committee of Public Safety is formed. It will rule France during the Reign of Terror. -
Jean-Paul Marat is Assassinated
Radical journalist Jean-Paul Marat is assassinated by Charlotte Corday. -
The Reign of Terror Begins
The Reign of Terror begins as Robespierre, the leader of the Committee of Public Safety, declares that terror will be the "order of the day" for the revolutionary government. -
The Law of Suspects is Created
The Law of Suspects is decreed. Anyone suspected of opposing the revolutionary government is arrested. Thousands of people will be executed over the next year. -
Queen Marie Antoinette is Executed
Queen Marie Antoinette is executed by guillotine. -
Antoine Lavoisier is Executed
Famous chemist Antoine Lavoisier, the "father of modern chemistry", is executed for being a traitor. -
The Reign of Terror Ends
The Reign of Terror comes to an end as Robespierre is overthrown. -
Robespierre is Executed
Robespierre is executed by guillotine. -
La Marseillaise is Adopted
"La Marseillaise" is adopted as the national anthem of France. -
The Directory is Formed
The Directory is formed and takes control of the government of France. -
Napoleon Appears
Napoleon overthrows the Directory and establishes the French Consulate with Napoleon as leader of France. This brings an end to the French Revolution.