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French Revolution
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The National Assembly (https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/427133/viewContent/3189811/View)
There were three Estates in France, and the Third Estate represented about 97% of the population. Even though only 2% of population were within the other two Estates, each of them had the same amount of vote as the Third Estate. Because of this unfair rule, the Third Estate people established the National Assembly to represent people of France.
The event was important because the French people were starting to form a representative government, and it was the beginning of the revolution. -
Tennis Court Oath (https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/427133/viewContent/3189811/View) (https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/1600s-1800s/french-revolution-tutorial/v/french-revolution-part-1)
After the National Assembly was founded, they had a meeting. Louis XVI was not satisfied with this assembly and thought they might take away his power, so he locked the meeting room and canceled this meeting. But the Assembly still met on that day, in a tennis court, and decided to create a new constitution.
This event was important because this assembly became a “constituent” assembly that represented people of France, and attracted people from other Estates who wanted reform to join. -
Storming the Bastille (https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/427133/viewContent/3189811/View) (https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/1600s-1800s/french-revolution-tutorial/v/french-revolution-part-1)
There were rumors that Louis was trying to dissolve the National Assembly by force, and some said there were foreign troops that might threaten citizens’ lives. Because of that, people started to arm themselves. Some people attacked the Bastille because there was a big arm cache. Things were getting out of control when they killed the prison commander.
This event was significant because it symbolizes the French Revolution, and it shows that people were angry, scared, and sensitive at that time. -
The Great Fear (https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/427133/viewContent/3189812/View)
Rumors became prevalent among the French people, one of them was that the nobles were about to attack the people of the Third Estate. That caused panic among the people, especially the peasants. Later, peasants began to attack nobles and their properties to prevent the nobles from doing so to them.
This event was significant because it implies how unstable the country was, and people were living in fear and violence. That affected both the peasants and the nobles, which might urge conflicts. -
The Rights of Man (https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/427133/viewContent/3189815/View)
After the Old Regime was over, the National Assembly, inspired by the Declaration of Independence, announced the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizens. This declaration also granted rights, including liberty, property, and security, to its citizens. French people then had the freedom of speech and religion.
This event was significant because it started to reform the basic human rights in France, and that was the purpose of the revolution for many people— to gain equal rights. -
Louis Tried to Escape (https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/427133/viewContent/3189815/View)
Louis XVI and his family were in danger because of the growth of power of the National Assembly. His advisers suggested him and his family to leave France. Soon later, when they tried to escape to Austrian Netherlands, they were arrested and controlled under guards and were sent back.
This event was important because it implies that the ruler was becoming less powerful, and that encouraged many of the radicals who were against him. This event also show that the revolution was actually working. -
New Constitution— A Limited Monarchy (https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/427133/viewContent/3189816/View)
The National Assembly created a new constitution that created a change of the monarchy. The absolute monarchy existed in France years before was changed to a limited constitutional monarch. The rights of the king was shrinking, and this constitution helped to create a legislative branch of government in France, and the Legislative Assembly had power to establish laws, for example.
This event was significant because it limited the power of the king and created a new laws-making system. -
Legislative Assembly— Factions split France (https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/427133/viewContent/3189816/View)
The Legislative Assembly became a new legislative body that could could laws. This assembly later split into 3 parts— Radicals, who were against the monarchy, sat on the left; moderates, who just wanted a mild changes, sat in the middle; conservations, who only wanted a few changes, sat on the right. Together, they were solving old problems left by Louis.
This event was important because the terms were still using today in politics. Also, it marked a big change in the form of French government. -
Making France a republic (https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/427133/viewContent/3189817/View)
France was at war for a long time, and men and women were all fighting, while the rumors were causing pain and massacres. After that, the Legislative Assembly created a new government body by quitting the Constitution, deposed the king, and re-elect a new legislature. Soon, France became a republic, but still, women had no right to vote.
This event was important because it shows the instability of the country. Finally, the king as deposed and the form of government changed. -
Maximilien Robespierre’s rule— Reign of Terror (https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/427133/viewContent/3189818/View)
Jacobins club was one of the radical organization, and its leader, Maximilien Robespierre became a dictator who ruled France and later died on guillotine. He reformed France by changing many traditions. His ruling period was called the Reign of Terror since he killed many of his fellow radicals as threats to his power, he also killed many people with insignificant reasons.
This event was important because some people were treated even worse than before, and that was not what people expected.
