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Storming of the Bastille
The storming of the Bastille was sparked by Louis XVI dismissing Jacques Necker, the Finance Minister. The people were now afraid that the king would also dismiss the Assembly and they thought that the troops outside of the Bastille would be used to close the Assembly down. The people got angy and they stormed the Bastille for gunpowder, ammunition, and prisoners. The storming was important because it marked the start of the revolution and showed how much the people hated the king. -
National Assembly issued the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
It was influenced by the doctrine of natural rights. It establishes fundamental rights for French citizens and all men, but it does not attend to any rights for women and slaves. This document was fundamental to the French Revolution. -
Invasion of Versailles
The poor women of France felt that there was a considerable bread shortage and the prices for the bread were too high. There was a rumor that the royals had all the bread and they got so mad they decided to march on Versailles. It was important to the French Revolution becuase it showed that the peasants of the Third Estate were a force to be reckoned with. -
Civil Constitution of the Clergy is passed
It was an attempt to reorganize the Roman Catholic Church in France. It subordinated the Chuch to the government. It proposed to reduce bishops, have citizens elect bishops and priests, and to have the state pay the clergy's wages. The constitution limited papal authority and gave it to the monarchy. It was important to the Revolution because it made the king even more hated and it made the Catholics go against the Revolution. -
Louis XVI and his family try to flee france but are arrested
Louis XVI knew he was a bad king and was overwhelmed with his duties. When he came to power the economy went bad. The people also hated his wife. After the peasants stormed the Bastille they forced the imprisonment of Louis XVI and his family. They tried to escape but were arrested and brought back to Paris. This was important to the Revolution because it showed how he was such a bad king and tried to abandon his country. It gave the peasants another reason to be even more mad. -
Constitution of 1791 is adopted
It was the first written constitution that France had. Its basic precept was establishing popular sovereignty and adopting constitutionality. It followed the United States Constitution. It was important to the Revolution becuase it was the first constitution. -
France declares war on Austria
Other European countries were scared that the revolutionary fervor would spread to them and were highly critical of the new government in France. There were many other issues that divided Austria and France even more and both sides seemed to want war. Then France declared war on Austria. It showed how weak France was. -
Louis XVI is sentenced to the guillotine
Louis was arrested during the Insurrection of 10 August 1792. He was then tried by the National Convention, but he was found guilty of treason. Then he was executed by guillotine. Louis XVI was the only French king that was executed. It was important to the Revolution becuase it showed how bad of a king he was and how they needed a new one. -
Period: to
The Reign of Terror
A time that held mass executions of people that Robespierre called "enemies of the revolution." 16,000 to 40,000 people were killed during this time. The guillotine became the symbol of a string of executions. -
Execution of Marie Antionette
The French hated Marie Antoinette because she was Austrian and for her expensive tastes. She tried to change her image by not wearing as expensive gowns but the people did not care. She was tried by a mock trial and was convicted of treason. She was then exucuted by the guillotine. This showed how thirsty the people were for blood and how the royals were so greedy. -
National Convention arrests Robespierre
He was found guilty of charges of dictatorship, tyranny, and much more. He tried to give a speech on why he shouldn't be charged but it didn't work. The Convention ordered him to be arrested. This was important to the Revolution because it showed hope and brought France closer to the end of the Revolution. -
Robespierre is executed
Robespierre is executed after he was arrested the day before. He was charged with many things. He was executed by guillotine without a trial. This also showed hope for the end of the Revolution. -
A new Constituion is adopted
This Constitution established a 5-man Directory, a bicameral legislature, and liberal republic with a franchise based on the payment of taxes. It was important to the Revolution because it got France closer to the end of the Revolution. -
Directory Falls
The Directory falls in a coup d'etat and Napolean takes over as First Consul. This starts the Napoleanic Era. This was important to the French Revolution because it marked the end of it. -
Napolean officially rules
A new constitution is passed that was written under the eye of Napolean. It called for three consuls and Napolean is to be the first. After that Napolean is officially named First Consul for life. This solidifies his absolute power over his domain. This is important because it marks a new ruler for France.
