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Estates General Meeting
The Estates General meeting was between the clergy, nobility, and the commoners that make up the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Estate. This meeting, with representatives of each Estate led to the French Revolution. -
Tennis Court Oath
The Tennis Court Oath began when members of the 3rd Estate were locked out of the National Assembly. Since they weren't allowed to attend, they met a tennis court and vowed not to leave until a constitution was written for France. -
Storming of The Bastille
This event started when the the 3rd Estate raided Bastille of Paris, a prison, in search of weapons. This was a significant event because the Bastille was a symbolic representation of the King's authority that was now destroyed. This was the first step towards the start of the French Revolution. -
The Great Fear
Due to the increasing price of bread, that was one of the main food sources of the people, they began to fight back. Those in the 3rd Estate attacked manor homes and acted violently towards the people that were against them. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
This document established equality of all men. It ensured the freedom of liberty, speech, and property. It was a document that gathered thoughts from Enlightenment thinkers, The English Bill of Rights, and the American Declaration of Independence. -
March on Versailles
The March on Versailles took place when the women of France lead a march in order to demand bread. This is when Louis XVI was forced to sign the Declaration of Rights of Man. -
The Civil Constitution of the Clergy
This document that was released by the National Assembly, stated that the clergy would now be elected by the people and paid by the state. It subordinated the Catholic Church to the French Government. -
Royal Family Attempt to Flee
Once things in France started to get out of control, King Louis XVI and his family tried to flee to Austria. After they get caught for trying to leave their country they are placed under house arrest. -
Execution of King Louis XVI
King Louis XVI was put on trial in August of 1972, and was sentenced to death after being found guilty of "conspiracy against liberty." He was executed by guillotine. -
The Reign of Terror
During this time period, hundreds and thousands of people were killed and executed under the leader Robespierre. This era was a political battle between the Jacobins and the Girondins. -
Napoleon's Coup d'etat
Once The Directory was overthrown, soon Napoleon began to rise in power. This marked the end of The French Revolution and the start of expansion of France under the ruling of Napoleon. -
Napoleon Becomes Emperor
When Napoleon crowns himself emperor in 1804, he made Josephine his empress. He went on trying to expand France but failed to invade Russia. -
Battle of Waterloo
This battle marked the end of the Napoleonic wars that took the lives of millions. This is where Napoleon lost from his return from Elba. Due to this, it caused the end of his reign. -
Execution of Robespierre
During the Reign of Terror it was a political battle between the Jacobins, who Robespierre greatly supported, and the Girondins. After the death of Robespierre, the Jacobins were slowly banned and the Girondins gained power. -
The Directory
The Directory created a new constitution and was in power until it over thrown by Napoleon in 1799. It was a group of five body directors that held executive power. The Directory wasn't favored since it would end the Revolution.
