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French Revolution Timeline
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The Third Estate voted to become the National Assembly
The Third estate voted to make themself the Nation Assembly. This gave them the ability to pass laws in the name of the people of France. It also suggested that France was no longer an absolute monarchy because there were people who could actually represent the population.
This event was extremely important because it was the first rebellious act of the French Revolution. There had been tension building for a while, but this was the first time that action was taken. -
The attack on Bastille
An angry mob of French Citizens succeeded in storming the prison Bastille. They managed to overtake the guard and proceeded to kill several of the guards and parade around with their heads on sticks. This riot was the result of many rumors flying around that a war was going to begin.
I chose this event because it showed how the entire French population was getting riled up over the events happening at the government. Everyone was getting scared and distrust was building. -
The National Assembly writes the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
This was an important moment in French history because, for the first time, all French people were considered equal. The First and Second estates lost their privileges that had made them higher than the third estate. Through revolution, the Third Estate had now gotten what they wanted, but the other two estates were not happy with the changes.
This event was crucial to the revolution because it gave equal rights to all the citizens of France. -
Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette leave Versailles never to return
The rebellion that had started in the city and now spread to the countryside as well, and the Great Fear had begun. Thousands of angry women brought their riot over the price of bread straight to the door of Versailles. With weapons in hand, they demanded that the king and queen leave. Eventually, Louis XIV agreed. This event is extremely important because it was the first time that the average people of Paris managed to make changes in the government. -
Louis XIV is caught trying to escape France and is returned to Paris
Louis XIV is caught as he and his family attempted to cross the border to the Austrian Netherlands. He is stopped and forced back to Paris. Eventually Louis XIV agreed to the Legislative Assembly in which most of the power went to the Assembly and Louis had only a little of the power. This new type of government was important because it was the first official ruling system in France that was not an absolute monarchy. -
France declares war on Austria and Prussia
Both Austria and Prussia were unhappy with how things were going in France. They wanted Louis XIV to be the absolute monarch. This angered the Legislative Assembly, and in response, the declared war against them. This event was extremely important because outside countries were beginning to interfere with the revolutions occurring in France. -
The National Convention is created
After many riots, especially from people calling themselves the Jacobins, the Legislative Assembly was dissolved. The National Convention was created. Immediately, it completely ended any traces of the monarchy and declared France a republic. This event was important because it was a big step towards the government that the majority of the population wanted. For the first time, there was no king in the government. -
Louis XIV is tried, convicted, and killed
The use of the execution device called the Guillotine became very common. The group called the Jacobins currently had control, and they had reduced Louis’s power to that of a common prisoner. Eventually they tried him, found him guilty, and had him executed. This event was very important because Louis XIV was such a prominent figure in the Revolution. A lot of the events that had occurred were a result of his actions. -
The National Convention convicts Robespierre and ends the Terror
After a year of living under Robespierre’s control, around 40,000 people had been executed, many for insubstantial charges. The National Convention decided to convict Robespierre and started a new type of government called the Directory. This resulted in a time of peace for France and the development of a much better army. This event marked the end of the complete chaos that had been in France for years. -
After many successes, Napoleon crowned himself emperor
Napoleon experienced multiple military victories which made him popular among the people of France. Napoleon gained the support of the French people and managed to get a vote passed which made him consul. This gave him all real power. Wanting more, Napoleon eventually crowned himself emperor of the empire of France. This event completely changed the type of government in France once again. After years of fighting to abolish absolute monarchy, France once again had an absolute monarch.
