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The Calling of the Estates General
The first meeting of the Estates since 1614, it resulted in the leaders of the 3rd estate declaring themselves a national assembly. They wished to represent the entire nation & enact reforms with, or without, the other two estates. -
Tennis Court Oath
When the leaders of the 3rd estate were locked out of the meeting hall, they moved to a nearby tennis court and vowed to meet every day until they drafted a Constitution for France. -
Storming of the Bastille
Although it wasn't a huge prison, the storming of the Bastille represented the uproar that was to come from the 3rd estate, and eventually became the symbol of the revolution. -
The Constitution of 1791
With the Declaration of the Rights of Man & Citizen as its preamble, the Constitution of 1791 limited the king's power, and gave equal treatment to all the estate members. The Nobles no longer had special privileges and rights over the Bourgeoise or members of the 3rd estate. -
The Guillotine is approved for use by the Legislative Assembly
Interestingly enough, the guillotine is approved for use by the legislature a few short months before it is used to execute their own king. -
Beheading of Louis XVI
A dignified death in the eyes of the king himself, he was beheaded by the guillotine, and was the supposed end to the French absolute monarchy, and is replaced by the new leaders, the Bourgoise.
