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Estates-General
As a result of of Marie Antoinette's extravagent spending, France had an enormous amount of debt. King Louis XVI called an Estates-General to approve the new tax. -
National Assembly formed
At the Estates-General, Emmanuel-Josepg Sieyes created the idea that the third estate could wield more power in the government and be called the National Assembly. The majority of the third estate voted to create a National Assembly. -
Tennis Court Oath
The third estate was locked out by the first and second estate because they did not agree with the idea of the National Assembly. Because of this, the National Assembly made an oath to meet everyday in a tennis court until they wrote a constitution -
Storming the Bastille
There was much speculation of attack that alarmed France's people. They believed that they needed to defend the city against attack so they stormed the Bastille to search for weapons -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
The National Assemnly wrote this list of rights for all men in the country. Some of the rights it listed were, "Liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression". -
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Great Fear
Many rumors caused panic to sweep through France. The panic and terror caused many riots and rebellious acts to occur all through France -
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King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette attempt to escape
With the Revolutionaries gaining more and more power everyday, Louis was worried what would happen to him if he was captured. He attempted to escape the country to Austrian Netherlands but he was recognized from his money -
National Assembly finishes constitution
National Assembly finally completed the new constitution that King Louis XVI was forced to accept. The new constitution limited the power of the king and introduced the Legislative Assembly. -
Legislative Assembly declares war with Austria and Prussia
Many other European countries were worried that the French Revolution would inspire more uprisings in thier countries. Austria and Prussia tried to get Louis XVI back in absolute control to put an end to the revolution but the Legislative Assembly replied by declaring war -
Royal Family imprisoned
The Prussian commander declared that if the King Louis XVI and his family were harmed in any way, then his forces would obliterate Paris. The people of Paris were infuriated so over 20,000 people stormed the palace and imprisoned the royal family -
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Jacobins take control
The Jacobins were an exceptionally radical politcal club in France. They gained power of the government shortly after the National Convention was created -
National Assembly dissolved
Most of the population of France were radical and unhappy with the current plan of government. The National Assembly was eliminated, the Legislative Assembly was re-elected, and the monarchy was replaced with a republic. This new for of government was called the National Convention. -
King Louis XVI beheaded
The National Convention found Louis XVI guilty of treason and sentenced him to death. He was beheaded by use of the guillotine on January 21st 1793 -
Robespierre gains power
Maximilien Robespierre gains leadership of the Committee of Public Safety. He was a ruthless radical leader that ruled like a dictator. -
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Reign of Terror
Under Robespierre's rule, thousands of innocent people were senselessly murdered. Robespierre executed people simply for having different political views or trying to lessen his power -
Robespierre beheaded
Some members of the National Convention grew nervous about their safety because Robespierre was completely out of control. They ordered that he be executed for his crimes without trial -
New constitution is accepted
The public's attitude about a radical form of government shifted greatly after the Reign of Terror. More moderate leaders wrote a new constitution that uses a bicarmeral legislature and replaces the National Convention with a five-man executive body known as the Directory -
Napoleon defends National Convention
Napoleon was glorified for defending the delegates of the National Convention from thousands of royalist rebels. He gained much Fame throughout France from this valiant act. -
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Napoleon leads French army
The Directory chose Napoleon to lead the French army in a war against Austria and the Kingdom of Sardinia because of his act of bravery in defending the National Convention. In this war, he had many extraordinary victories and was able to keep his losses hidden so he was very popular with the general public. -
Coup d'état
Napoleon Bpnaparte took advantage of the crumbling Directory by seizing power of the government. He replaced the Directory with a group of three consuls, of which Napoleon was named the lead consul.