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The Estates-General meets at Versailles.
France was going through a tough period due to political and financial problems. Louis XVI decided to have a meeting called the Estates-General with the common people, nobles and the clergy. This marks the beginning of the French Revolution. -
National Assembly is formed
The National Assembly was an assembly mostly made up of the common people. The National Assembly wanted to challenge the King's power and turn France into a fair and equal democracy -
The storming of the Bastille prison
A group of angry people from Paris stormed the Bastille prison freeing prisoners and killing the prison's governor de Launay who had by then surrendered. Storming the Bastille was a symbol for overthrowing the King's power. -
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen is adopted.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was originally published on August 26, 1789. This document gave all people natural rights including that people are born free and equal. In the document it tries to set the foundation of a democracy in order to end the monarchy and it controls how the government collects taxes. -
First French Republic is established
The monarchy was abolished when the Legislative Assembly voted to establish the first French Republic. This was a significant event in the French Revolution. -
French declared war on Austria
The French Revolutionary War started when France declared war on Austria. Austria was seen as a threat and France wanted to protect the country. -
The Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror lasted from 1793 to 1794. It was a dark and violent time period for France. Maximilien Robespierre led this movement where anyone who was against the revolution was killed. Many people died during this time. -
The Directory takes power
France turns a new page when the Directory takes power. In the French First Republic the Directory was the governing committee made up of five members. -
Napoleon era begins
Napoleon does a "coup d'é·tat" which means he forcefully and unlawfully takes over power from the Directory after its failed govern. He appoints himself the First Consul of the Republic. This is another turning point for France. -
Napoleon is proclaimed Emperor of France
On December 2, 1804 Napoleon was crowned Emperor in Notre-Dame. This was the start of the First French Empire. By this time France was now in the Napoleonic era.