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The Tennis Court Oath
The Tennis Court Oath took place when deputies of the Third Estate were locked out of their meeting room. Thinking the king was trying to force them to disband, they moved to a nearby tennis court( Salle du Jeu de Paume). There, they swore not to disband until a constitutional regime was established. -
The fall of Bastille
The Fall of Bastille took place when angry citizens grew angry with the governor, Marquis de Launay, of the Bastille, a large fortress used as a prison. Over 300 citizens stormed the Bastille looking to capture and kill Launay. The Bastille was only prepared for a mob of about 100 or so. Launay and the guards not prepared for was coming to them. When the drawbridge was lowered, the mob stormed inside and captured Launay. They decapitated him, mounted his head, and carried it through Paris. -
The Woman of Paris Invade Versailles
Parisians, led by a large group of women, invade Versailles. They demand to see Marie Antoinette in order to address the starvation problem. They demanded that King Louis XVI distribute the bread that was being hoarded in the palace. He also had no choice but to accompany them back to Paris. Marie and Louis were at that point considered "prisoners of the common people" until they were executed on January 21, 1793. -
A New Constitution is Adopted
Reforming ministers told the government officials that a new constitution was going to have to be made if they wanted to control the function of the state. More modern times called for a more modern contitution. The new contitution was a permanent legislature which the king could not disband. the monarch had executive power that could implement the laws. Unfortunately, the constitution only lasted eleven months. -
France Declares War on Austria
On April 20th, 1792, France declared war on Austria. France believed that, since King Louis had been overthrown, Austira would try to take over. The war lasted nine years and France lost 1.4 million people. The war dramatically altered the course of the revolution. -
King Louis XVI Arrested
King Louis XVI and his family were arrested while trying to escape from France. They were taken to the "Temple" and were imprisoned. Marie Antoinette and King Louis remained there until their execution on January 21, 1793. -
Louis XVI Executed by Guillotine
After being arrested, King Louis XVI was sentenced to death by guillotine. Since he was sentenced on the 20th, he spent that night bidding farewell to his family. He traveled two hours, by carriage, to the place of his execution. Before being decapitated, he is said to have uttered, "I die innocent of all the crimes laid to my charge; I Pardon those who have occasioned my death; and I pray to God that the blood you are going to shed may never be visited on France.". -
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Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror is named so because citizens of France lived in constant terror of the government and society itself. The Reign of Terror court sentenced anywhere between 20,000 and 40,000 people to the gullotine. -
Maximilien Robespierre Arrested and Sentenced to Death
Maximilien Robespierre sentenced at least 1,300 people to death by the guillotine. He created extreme laws, which caused even more people to be executed. Ironically, he was executed by the guillotine himself. -
The End of The French Revolution
Napoleon Bonaparte actually ended th French Revolution. he staged a coup d'etat and declared himself ruler of France. Once ruler, he established the Napoleonic Code. This became the standard on which all laws were based. The first three civil codes were:- Freedom of religion
- No privileges based on birth
- Government jobs for the most qualified