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The Estates-General is Called
Since France was undergoing a major financial crisis, the Estates-General was called by King Louis XVI for the first time in over 175 years. The assembly consisted of the clergy (First Estate), the nobility (Second Estate), and the commons (Third Estate). Even though it had been called in hopes of finding a solution to end France's economic crisis, disagreements regarding the financial privileges held by the First and Second Estates led members of the Third Estate to form the National Assembly. -
The National Assembly is Formed
After being constantly oppressed by the upper Estates when proposing their goals, the enraged Third Estate refused to vote in the Estates-General and instead formed the National Assembly. Their goal was to limit the power of the monarch over France and they demanded to bring justice for the commoners, who made up 98% of the population and were forced to pay an unreasonable amount of taxes. They were a body of representatives for the French and they created the first constitution of France. -
The Tennis Court Oath
The Tennis Court Oath took place in an indoor tennis court where members of the Third Estate defiantly opposed King Louis XVI's orders and continued their cause of ending feudalism in France. They swore an oath to not separate and keep meeting until a constitution had been established within France. Their oath was a direct declaration of their opposition and resistance against King Louis XVI and the First and Second Estates as they refused to give into the pressure despite the king's command. -
Women's March on Versailles
Women in marketplaces organized a surprise revolt as they marched from Paris to Versailles complaining about the high price and scarcity of bread. This riot was successful in creating a dramatic and violent confrontation as they surrounded the palace and pressured the king to meet their demands. The protest proved to be a wake up call for the king as the women demanded that fundamental changes must be made to France's society. This became one of the most notable events of the French Revolution. -
The Storming of the Bastille
As the economic crisis in France continued to plunder, the French were confronted with a lack of food and harsh living conditions, causing unrest and distress among the people. They feared that King Louis XVI was about to arrest their newly established constitution, which led hundreds of Parisians to storm a state prison named Bastille and free its prisoners while also seizing 250 barrels of gunpowder. This signified that they could challenge the monarchy through their sheer force and numbers. -
Constitutional Monarchy is Formed
The creation of the first ever written constitution officially established France as a constitutional monarchy. This was created to revise and amend several issues France had faced during King Louis XVI's rule, which included economic, social, and political matters. The constitution changed the monarch's ultimate power over the country and replaced it with the title of a figure-head. It also provided a means of stability and promoted democratic authority and equality within the country. -
A Mob Overthrows the Constitutional Monarchy, New National Convention is Formed, France becomes a Republic
Although many were satisfied with the constitutional monarchy, several others believed that the king must be stripped of all his titles because of his corrupt ways and conspiration with enemies to overthrow the constitution. These feelings of unrest among the French population led to the collapse of the constitutional monarchy when massive mobs rebelled and demanded to topple King Louis XVI, resulting in the creation of a new national convention that officially made France a republic country. -
King Louis XVI is Beheaded
After a failed attempt to flee France fearing his safety, King Louis XVI and Marie Antionette were arrested in Varannes and brought back to Paris, where he was tried and found guilty for treason and for his intentions of deserting his country and collaborating with the enemy (Austria). He was imprisoned immediately and was sentenced to death by the guillotine for his crimes. He was beheaded on January 21, 1793 with a massive crowd watching the spectacle, ending France's long history of kings. -
The Reign of Terror Begins
As wars broke out within the country's borders, the revolutionary government was forced to take precautionary actions to subdue the threats France was faced with. Many foreign monarchies were pressuring France and suggesting invasions, causing the government to take drastic measures that involved the massacre of thousands of people via guillotine who were suspected of being associated with ani-revolutionary forces. This usually included the nobility and clergy members of the pre-revolution era. -
Marie Antoinette is Beheaded
After being arrested in Varannes for fleeing the country with her husband, Marie Antoinette was brought back to Paris alongside King Louis XVI and imprisoned. Even though her husband met his fatal end on January 21, 1793, it wasn't until October 19, 1793 that Marie Antionette met a similar fate. She was found guilty for expending the state treasury, conspiring with foreign enemies, and most importantly, for committing treason, which ultimately led to her execution in front of a massive crowd. -
The Reign of Terror Ends
Due to the extreme actions of the National Convention, many began questioning whether the country truly needed a Committee of Public Safety. Support for the Jacobin Club dwindled drastically, and Maximilien Robespierre, being the president of the National Convention, was public enemy number one for his merciless executions of his so called "enemies" for the sake of public safety. He and many of his followers were arrested and executed by the Thermidorian Reaction, ending the Reign of Terror.