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The French Join the American Revolution
The French "joining the fight" may have helped out America, they certainly didn't help themselves. Because of their grudge against Great Britain, France spent lots of money to help America in building themselves to fight Britain, and because of their spending, they became bankrupt. -
The Tennis Court Oath
On June 20th, 1789, representatives of the Third Estate met in an indoor tennis court to defy King Louis XVI. They took an oath to forge a new constitution . -
Fall of the Bastille
French revolutionaries storm the Bastille, a royal fortress that had come to represent the tyranny of the Bourbon monarchs. This dramatic action started the beginning of the French Revolution, a decade of political chaos and terror. -
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The Great Fear
A period of panic and fear by french peasants and others amid rumors of an “aristocratic conspiracy” by the king and the rich to overthrow the Third Estate. The gathering of soldiers around Paris caused a rebellion, and on July 14 the french peasants captured the Bastille. -
The Declaration of the Rights of Man
Representatives of the French people assembled a National Assembly and declared the Rights of Man, which set fourth a declaration of our natural, inalienable rights. -
The Women's March
On October 5, 1789, a mob of women stormed Versailles, demanding bread for their families. Some bread was handed out and the King was forced out of Versailles. -
The Execution of King Louis XVI
King Louis XVI was convicted of conspiracy with foreign powers. He experienced death by guillotine. He was arrested on August 13 1792. -
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The Reign of Terror
The reign of Terror was to clean France of the enemies of the revolution. The Revolution was led by Robespierre, which ended by his fall. There were thousands of executions. -
The Execution of Robespierre
Maximilien Robespierre was the leader of the Reign of Terror. He was arrested by the National Convention and executed by guillotine on July 28th, 1794. He was able to dominate the Committee of Public Safety until his fall. -
The Directory Established
A group of 5 men were able to hold executive power when chosen by The New Legislature, The Council of Five Hundred, and The Council of Ancients. Each year, a director was to be replaced.
