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Creation of the Cahiers de Doleances (list of grievances)
The list of grievances or the Cahiers de doléances were lists of complaints and opinions from the members of each of the three estates concerning the current economic problems in the Kingdom of France. The First and Second Estate called for minimal change as they wanted to keep their privileges. The Third Estate pressed more toward equal rights as they were tired of being oppressed. This event set the foundations of the Tennis Court Oath in motion and hence the beginning of the revolution. -
Calling of the Estates-General
After 175 years, King Louis XVI called the Estates General to deal with France's economic crisis sprung from aiding foreign conflict and bad harvests. Comprised of three estates, the first was comprised of the Roman Catholic Clergy, the second was made up of the nobles and the third contained the rest; bourgeoisie, farmers, and peasants who represented 98% of the population. This lack of justification eventually gave way to the Tennis Court oath and the deceleration of the National Assembly. -
The Tennis Court Oath and the formation of the National Assembly
On June 17 after the Estates General meeting failed, the Third Estate united seeing as they would always be outvoted to reform by the privileged orders. Later finding themselves locked out of their usual meeting hall (Versailles) on June 20 and taking it as a threat from the king to disband, the National Assembly moved to the Tennis Court and vowed not to move until a new constitution was written. This act of defiance eventually joined the estates together and a sense of nationalism was created. -
Storming of Bastille
The Bastille was a state prison on the East side of Paris and was a symbol of the monarchy's dictatorial rule and the oppressiveness of Frances' Ancien Régime. Revolutionary Insurgents stormed and demolished the prison, released the prisoners, and seized control of all the weapons within. Caused by the economic crisis and unfair division in French society, the demolition of The Bastille marked the beginning of the French Revolution and is one of the most defining moments of it all. -
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The Great Fear
Fearful of rumors of an “aristocratic conspiracy” by the members of the privileged estates to overthrow the third estate and sabotage the growing revolution, the Great Fear was a time of unbridled panic and riot. Peasants and townspeople joined together to burn manorial houses, monasteries, public records, and documents. This event was instrumental to the following abolition of feudalism and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and citizen, two of the most important affairs of the revolution. -
Abolition of Feudalism
Instead of denouncing the violence encouraged by the Great Fear, the deputies of the National assembly tried to appease the peasant opinion. In doing so, liberal nobles and clergy renounced their ancient feudal privileges, therefore terminating feudalism entirely. Such abolition led the way for the new regime and restored some of the Third Estates' dignity and status. It led the way for historical advances important to the history of France and what people identify with it via nationalism. -
The Declaration of Rights and Man and citizen
By ridding of the old privileges, the Assembly was permitted to construct a new regime that proclaimed the constitution's basic principles in The Declaration of Rights and Man and Citizen. It's concept of natural rights guaranteed the revolution would not bind history but would reshape society according to reason. The first declaration challenged the Ancien Régime as it states: “Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions may be based only on common utility.” -
March on Versailles (bread riot)
After the end of the Ancien Régime, fear of famine arose as rumors of food- especially grain were being withheld from the poor for the benefit of the privileged. More than 7 000 women and some men crowded around at the edge of the market and together they marched. Though the act of defiance was dealt with quickly, the revolutionaries still succeeded in forcing the royals back to Paris. The march stripped away the last of the King's authority and ushered in a short-lived constitutional monarchy. -
Creation of the Legislative Assembly
Replacing the National Assembly, the Legislative Assembly created a constitutional monarchy with King Louis XVI as head of state. Containing 745 deputies, most consisted of Jacobin republicans while the rest were Feuillants and political moderates. The dominant faction (the Girondins) led the push for war with Austria which eventually led to the Revolutionary Wars. This support for the nation's interests led to a strengthening sense of nationalism as decisions were made with constructive intent. -
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French Revolutionary Wars
Over the course of ten years, the French Revolutionary Wars were a series of conflicts with several European powers. Because of the European's call to re-establish Louis as King of France and because Revolutionaries believed war would unify the country (therefore spreading their revolutionary ideas around Europe), France declared war on Austria. Ten years of conflict later, the Republicans won the war and the fighting stopped on account of the signing of the Treaty of Amiens in March 1802. -
Forming the National Convention and France Declared a Republic
The National Convention was formed after the end of the Legislative Assembly and was the first government in France based on universal male suffrage. The Convention was based on a few key ideas: All males aged 25+ were allowed to vote regardless of their class, absolute monarchy was abolished to declare France a Republic, and finally, the Convention oversaw and enforced the Reign of Terror, ending when Maria Antoinette was executed and the National Convention was replaced with 'The Directory'. -
Execution of King Louis XVI
As the revolution bore on, more began to see the King as an incompetent leader. Lacking political insight and not listening to calls for cooperation, King Louis XVI attempted to flee from the capital. He was soon found and tried for treason two years after upon finding counterrevolutionary intrigues in a secret cupboard. His last words are as follows: "Gentlemen, I am innocent of everything of which I am accused. I wish that my blood may be able to cement the happiness of the French." -
Committee of Public Safety
Passed by the National Convention, the Committee of Public Safety was created. Holding 'de facto' dictator control over France during the Reign of Terror, the committee managed war efforts and developed policies outside of the Convention. Made up of mostly Third Estate members, The National Convention decrees it shall be composed of nine members, be established for one month only, and is authorized to take measures of internal and external defense through execution of those who warrant such. -
Levée en Masse
In an attempt to take control of the revolution, the National Convention issued the French policy for military conscription that required all able-bodied men (ages 18-25) to enlist. The creation of such was an emergency measure to raise the manpower generals believed they needed if they were to throw off the danger of invasion. By joining together in one common cause, a sense of French nationalism is strengthened and a sense of control is created through the unification of man. -
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Reign of Terror
Starting and ending with Maximilien Robesphere’s ultimate execution, the Reign of Terror was responsible for the beheading of over 17 000 enemies of the revolution. In an attempt to destroy internal and external enemies and conspirators from French territory, those considered foes of the revolution were killed by guillotine which became known as the 'scythe of equality'. This all started when people began to think of themselves as part of the same nation, thus sparking that sense of nationalism. -
Execution of Marie Antoinette
Wife to the late King Louis XVI, 38-year-old Queen Marie Antoinette was beheaded on accounts of high treason, depletion of the national treasury, and conspiracy against the security of the state. 10 months after her husband, Antoinette suffered the same: death by guillotine. Her execution signified the last death of a queen of France and the coming together of the third estate and their growing nationalism as they overthrew the monarchy in the closing days of the French Revolution. -
Execution of Maximilien Robespierre
Architect of the Reign of Terror, Robespierre was finally arrested on the 9th of Thermidor (in the Revolutionary calendar) when foreign invasion no longer threatened the republic but the executions still continued. Fleeing from jail and declared an outlaw, he attempted a shot to the head but only succeeded in wounding his jaw. He and 21 other allies were executed that day with more to follow in the days after. The execution of Robespierre consequently ended the Reign of Terror.