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Agricultural Recession
The Agricultural Recession forces landowners to increase their sources of revenue; the lower class works harder and is taxed more. -
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French support American Revolution
France supports the Patriots in the American Revolution, causing more national debt. -
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National Director Calls Meeting About Debt
Charles Alexander de Calonne, National Director of Finances, called an assembly of Notables to have proper upper class share in the national debt by paying tax. They refused in an effort to protect economic privileges. -
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Failed Harvest
The harvest fails and the winter is fairly extreme, further angering and hurting the poor. Food becomes even more scarce and expensive. -
New Tax Plan Meeting
A meeting of the Estates-General was called by Louis XVI in Versailles to discuss the new tax plan. It includes the 1st, 2nd (Nobility),and 3rd Estate (poorer). Third had most people. -
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Committee to Make Constitution Formed
The National Assembly appoints a committee of 30 members to draft a constitution. The NA proclaims itself the Constitutional National Assembly, with full authority and power to decree laws. Demonstrations/speeches take place in Palais-Royal. The electors in Paris form a standing committee and a citizens' militia. -
Fall of Bastille
The storming and fall of Bastille. -
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Great Fear
The period of Grande Peur (Great Fear). Peasants start robbing and burning some of the mansions of the rich and burn records of money owned. -
End of Feudalism
The end of feudalism and serfdom in France was announced by the NA. -
National Convention Held
The first meeting of the National Convention was held. A republic was established. -
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National Draft Issued
A National Draft was issued calling all able-bodied men to enlist in the army. -
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Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror court sentenced 20,000-40,000 people to death. The Revolutionary Tribunal sent state prisoners to the guillotine. Bloody repression and armies sent to subdue armies. -
Terror Becomes Government
Churches are closed. The Terror became identified with ruthless and centralized revolutionary government. Any dissidence was classified as non-revolutionary, and Monte guards/extremists were guillotined in 1794. Robespierre tries to associate it with virtue and make the republic a morally united patriotic community. -
New Constitution Adopted
A new Constitution was adopted and it took effect after a reactionary rising in Vendemiare was suppressed by General Napoleon Bonaparte. -
End of Revolution
The fall of the Directory heralds the end of the French Revolution!