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Nobilty forces King to call the Estates General
The king was in trouble. The nobility was not happy with his attempt to tax their estate. Nobility wanted to pass tthe cost once again on the Third Estate. -
Estate General meets in Paris
King Louis XVI calls body into session to approve a new tax on the Third Estate. Had not met in 175 years. -
3rd Estate refused king's one vote/estate system
3rd Estate is tired of being outvoted by 1st/2nd Estates. With more representative, they want to change to voting process and allow themselves to make French laws. Create National Assembly. -
Tennis Court Oath
After being locked out of meeting by the king, the 3rd Estate representatives promised not to leave without writing their own constitution. King Louis XVI gives in and lets each rep have one vote each. -
The Storming of the Bastille
National Assembly fears king will use force on them so commoners decide to arm themselves by mobbing the Bastille and taking the weapons. Beginning of the French Revolution. -
Great Fear Begins
Rumors and facts start spreading fear among the French people and they worry that the king will punish them for storming the Bastille. Peasants start acting out in violence. -
National Assembly abolishes Feudalism with August Decrees
National Assembly takes away exclusive privledges from upperclass and eliminate the feudal dues/services that peasants owe to land owners. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
States the basic principles of the French Revolution: liberty, equality, fraternity. Inspired by other works like American Declaration of Independence and Enlightenment thinkers. -
Woman of Paris march to Versailles for Bread
Angry people fear that king will use force to crush revolution (again) after they hear he called for troops for his protection. 7,000 angry women go to Versailles and cause king to go back to Tuileries Palace, Paris. -
Royal Family's Flight from Varennes
King and queen think they're in danger and unsafe with all the new restrictions, so they flee from Paris but are caught and taken back Tuileries Palace. -
New Constitution adopted
Monarchy is still exists but large restrictions are put on King Louis XVI's power. Broader voting rights are given but only to tax-paying men (25+ years old) -
Beginning of Legislative Assembly
New legislative body is created and is in charge of revolutionay law-making. -
Brunswick Manifesto warns that king must be safe or else...
Threat from Austria and Prussia causes Legislative Assembly to declare way--- end up losing. Many blame the king for their defeat. -
Storming of the Tuileries Palace
Seeing that they have nothing to lose, mob marches to Tuileries Palace and violently kill guards first. Then, they take Louis XVI, Marie Antionette, and kids as prisoners. -
French Monarchy is officially abolished
Revolutionary government vores to abolish the monarchy and establish the first Republic. Royal family is imprisoned. -
French defeat Astria/Prussia who wanted to keep monarchy
France turns the tide of the war and takes to offensive against foreign invaders. -
The exectution of King Louis XVI in Paris
To prevent to return of monarchy, they kill the king by use of the guillotine for public to see. -
Committee of Public Safety Established
To tighen control, National Convetrion sets up CPSE to take care of military. Concerns are focused on defense at France's borders against foreign forces. Also make draft of 18-45 year old men for military service. -
Law of Suspects passed-- Reign of Terror Begins!
Makes it so anyone who speaks or even suspected of being against the new republic will be arrested or put to death. Causes panic to spread across France. -
End of the Reign of Terror-- Execution of Robespierre
National Convention decides to execute Robespierre and others who are responsible for Reign of Terror. -
National Convention is dissolved and Directorate is created
Creates bicameral legislature in France: Council of 500 & Council of Seniors. Executive power goes to 5 "directors". Napoleon is put into military power, -
Napoleon named First Consul
Napolean has great military power and decides he wants to gain political power too. Directory transforms into Consulate and Napolean is in charge as First Consul-- dictator, -
Coronation of Napolean Bonaparte as Emperor of France
Napolean makes himself French emperor and focuses on building his empire and expanding powers. French Revolution ends!
