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French Revolution Timespan
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Louis XVI summons the Estate General
Lous XVI, the French King, has ran out of funds due to his lavish lifestyle and poor financial situations. He summons the Estate General to raise more funds. What the Estate General proposes is to limit the King's power and place more power on to themselves -
Third Estate Declares the National Assembly
The Third Estate, after proposing their ideas, have their power limited to practically nothing compared to the First and Second Estates. They go to form their own court called the National Assembly and have meetings of their own without the First and Second Estates that side with the King's absolute monarchy. -
Tennis Court Oath
When the Third Estate was going to a call of the Estates General they found themselves locked out of the chamber doors and guarded by soldiers, not allowed in. This further proved the corrupt ways of the nobles and aristocracy, not allowing the common people to voice their concerns. The Third Estate then went to a nearby tennis court and 567 of 577 of its members swore an oath that they would continue to meet until a constitution of the kingdom was established. -
Storming of the Bastille
The Storming of the Bastille occured in France's capital city, Paris on the morning of July 14th 1789. The Bastille was a prison fortress that represented royal authority, and the unhappy, starving french population stormed the prison and ripped it apart brick by brick. -
The Great Fear
The Great Fear was a time when rumors were spread of a famine plot that that the royals and rich aristocrats were forming to kill of the poor peasant population. This caused the peasants to raid and destroy manor homes that belonged to anyone of higher status. A person such as a baker who was suspected of hoarding bread for themselves or manipulating the prices was lynched by hungry, and very angry mobs. Despite that person being completely innocent. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen is a fundamental document to French history and of human rights. It was adopted by French society by the National Constituent Assembly. It was the first step towards democracy and a constitution for the French. Many of its ideals were inspired by the Enlightenment. -
Women's March On Versailles
The Women's March On Versailles was one of the earliest and one of the most significant events in the French Revolution. The march began when women in the markets were rioting due to the inflated high price of bread. The women attacked Versailles and almost killed the Queen of France, Marie Antoinette. After she escaped to her husband's chambers the two were forced to come back to Paris and live there. The two rode back on a carriage with their dead guard's heads mounted on pikes on the carriage -
Civil Constitution of the Clergy
The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was a bill passed that transferred all land owned by the Roman Catholic Church in France to the government. It also completely abolished the tithe, which is a tax that the peasants had to pay to the church. It also gave church owned land to the people in order to make them happier. -
Republic of Virtue (1791-1794)
The Republic of Virtue was a period in French history when Maximilien Robespierre was in power of France. This was part of the de-christianization of France, many churches were closed and sold. The Cult of the Supreme Being was also created as a new religion but didn't get many followers. The French Revolutionary Calendar was made during this time. -
Flight to Varennes
King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette disguise themselves and leave the Paris at night, hoping to reach the nearest border and get away from France. They were both arrested in the small town of Varannes where they were immediately recognized. This caused many people to see the King as a traitor and deserter of his nation. -
France Declares War Against Austria
France declares war against Austria because tension has been growing between them as Marie Antoinette is being help as a prisoner in Paris and is natively from Austria. France thought that Austria would attack them and restore Louis's rule so they declared war first. -
Louis XVI Is Executed
Citizen Louis Capet, formerly the French King, is executed for treason against the crown. He was executed because many argued that for the monarchy to be abolished and for the French Republic to grow the former King would have to be executed. Louis was executed by guillotine in Revolution Square. -
Reign of Terror (5 September 1793 – 28 July 1794)
The Reign of Terror was a period in the French Revolution that was marked by mass executions. Approximately 16,594 people were executed by the guillotine,which earned it's nickname "The National Razor". During this time many political enemies of people of rival factions were executed by this machine. -
Jacobians Gain Control of the National Assembly
The radical Jacobian party gains majority in the National Assembly and has the most power of all the other parties. -
Robespierre Is Arrested and Executed
Maximilien Robespierre is arrested and then executed without trial by the guillotine. Many wanted his death as he became a tyrannical ruler and brought in many unwanted things such as the French Revolutionary Calendar and the Cult of Supreme Being to replace the Roman Catholic Church which many still believed in. -
The Directory is Established
The Directory suceeds Robespierre has a government with two legislative houses. The First and Second Directory. The National Convention decided on a five man executive directory. The Directory was later overthrown when Napoleon became Emperor
