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Beginning of the French Revolution
The French Revolution is when the people of France overthrew the monarchy and took control of the government. -
The Tennis Court Oath
France’s three Estates were summoned by King Louis XVI because the country was in financial crisis. The Clergy and the Nobility overruled the Third Estate, which was the rest of the population. On June 20,1789, the Third Estate formed an organization called the National Assembly because of the lack of representation they had in the Estates General.They're forced to move to an indoor tennis court due to King Louis XVI ordering the closure of the Salle des États, where the Assembly originally met. -
Storming of the Bastille
The Bastille was a symbol that stood for the authority in Paris, it represented the abuse of power by the monarchy. The storming of the Bastille signified the beginning of the revolution against the irrational power of the monarchy. -
Abolition of Feudalism
The Third Estate freed the poor from paying tithes to the church and were able to get their land for free. They also were able to equalize both legal punishment and admission of all to public office, abolish venality in office, and freedom of worship. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was a document that explains the rights of a citizen. The citizen would have the right to have liberty, property, security, resistance to oppression, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and separation of powers. -
Women’s March on Versailles
A crowd of protesters (mostly women) marched from Paris to the Palace of Versailles when prices of bread and flour rose due to bad harvests. They demanded the king to “live among the people,” which eventually resulted in the royal family being placed under the protection of the National Guards. -
Royal Flight to Varennes
King Louis XVI and his family tried to flee to Austria dressed as servants to escape the National Assembly. They were recognized, however, and were returned to Paris and imprisoned. -
Beginning of the French Revolutionary Wars
Revolutionary France was considered dangerous by the other European monarchies who viewed it with both fear and anger. France underwent a series of wars, starting with declaring war on Prussia and Austria in 1792. -
Execution of King Louis XVI
King Louis XVI, was found guilty by the National Convention and condemned to death. Louis XVI was executed because of treason and had been accused of betraying the French nation to the Austrians. He was guillotined in the Place de la Revolution in Paris. -
Beginning of The Reign of Terror
Before the execution of King Louis XVI, the Legislative Assembly had “dissolved” and replaced itself with a new political body named the National Convention. The National Convention created the Committee of Public Safety whose role was to protect the newly established republic against foreign attacks and internal rebellion. Maximilien Robespierre was the de facto executive government in France. -
Ending of The Reign of Terror
During this time, 500,000 people that did not favor revolution were arrested, resulting in about 40,000 via execution. On July 28 1794, Robespierre was arrested and executed, ending the Reign of Terror. -
Beginning of the Coup of 18th Brumaire
Overthrew the system of government under the Directory in France and substituted the Consulate, making way for the despotism of Napoleon Bonaparte. -
Ending of Coup of 18th Brumaire
The Directory became involved in corruption, political conflict and financial problems. It became more and more reliant on the Army in foreign and domestic affairs, as well as finance. The five directors were forced out and replaced by three “consuls”: the famous military leader Napoleon Bonaparte; director Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès; and politician Roger Ducos. The date is regarded by many as the end of the French Revolution. -
Ending of the French Revolutionary Wars
Under the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte, France was able to conquer a wide array of territory. With France’s success in revolution, it inspired other European countries to follow.
