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Financial Troubles
There were many reasons France was deep in debt in 1789. There was bad weather for harvest. The Government was spending a lot of money on wars and other things. The cost of bread was one month worth of income. -
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Divided French Society
In 1789, France used aoutdated social system.
First estate-The Clergy
Second estate-Nobles
Third Estate-Everybody else (Bourgeoisie and Peasants) -
Louis XVI Calles the Estates-General
The king called a meeting of the Estates General for the first time in 175 years. In the meeting, the Third Estate felt that they were not fairly represented. A group of people formed tha National Assembly and met in a tennis court. They swore not to stop meeting until a constitution was made. -
Storming of the Bastille
The Bastille was a large castle that served as a prison. Parisians believed that there was gunpowder stored there. When they raid, they tear the symbol of oppression apart brick by brick. The day of July 14th is a national holiday in France. -
The Declaration of the Rights of Man
The National Assembly issues the Declaration of the rights of man. It was a document stating how all male citizens are equal in the law. It does not mention the king. -
Women's March on Versailles.
Many French women got very angry at Marie Antoinette. Marie Antoinette was living a glamourous lifestyle, while the women could not afford to feed their own children. Eventually the women broke into the palace and ran after the queen. They also demanded that the royal family move to Paris. Louis XVI complied and moved to the Palace of Tuileries. -
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Radicals Take Over
The French Revolution begins to get more radical. Nobles, clergymen, and other fled France. Many Countries started to turn against France. The National Assembly declares war on tyranny. -
The Royal Family Tries to Escape
To escape humiliation and to get help from Austria. King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and the royal children dress up as lower class citizens and flee France. They are recognized and caught in Varennes, a town close to the Austrian Border. The people now view the King and Queen as Traitors. -
The Declaration of Pilnitz
The King of Prussia and the Emperor of Austria issue the Declaration of Pilnitz. The declaration said that Prussia and Austria would protect the French monarchy. This caused the revolutionaries to gear up for war. -
France Establishes a New Government
The National Assembly Produces a new constitution for France, establishing a constitutional monarchy. It gave -
Violence at Tuileries
A crowed of Parisians stormed the Palace of Tuileries. The king's guards were slaughtered. The royal family managed to escape. A month later, Revolutionaries attack prisons holding clergymen and nobles, killing 1,200. -
The Death of the King
The king was put on trial for treason. He was found Guilty and was sentenced to death. People considered sparing his life, but they reconsidered cause his death would let the revolution survive. At his execution, the king pleaded not guilty, but was drowned out by drumroll. He was then beheaded by the Guillotine. -
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Reign of Terror
France started to becoma a dictatorship. Chaos broke out. People were executed by the hundreds. Maximilien Robespierre, known as "the Incorrubtable", was the architect of the Revolution. He said that terror was the general idea of the revolution. Later he was arrested and executed. -
Execution of Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette was put on trial for high treason and some others, including incest with her son. She tried to stand up for herself, but was found guilty. She was sentenced to the same fate as her husband. -
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The Third Stage of the Revolution
A third constitution is established.People start to turn to Napoleon Bonaparte, a military leader, to take control of France. Napoleon would later become Emperor of France. -
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Nationalism Spreads
The French Revolution started the idea of nationalism, or pride in one's home country. Dances and songs gave the idea of nationalism in many countries.
