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Meeting of the Estates General
King Louis XVI gathered representatives from different classes to discuss solutions to the financial crisis they were having. The Estates General were made up of three estates: the nobles, the clergy, and the rest of the people. -
Tennis Court Oath
In the Estates General the Third Estate barely got a vote. The Third Estate decided to create their own National Assembly. They later moved to a tennis court and pledged to remain there until a new constitution was made. -
Fall of Bastille
An angry crowd marched to this medieval fortress called Bastille that served as a prison mostly for political prisoners. The prison symbolized power and authority to the royals, when destroyed, people realized how they could revolt towards the government. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
A document of the French Revolution that declared the natural rights of man. -
March on Versailles
Many people in France were hungry and poor. Protestors marched from Paris to the Palace of Versailles. The people demanded for bread. -
Flight of Varennes
King Louis XVI, his wife Marie Antoniette, and their family tried to flee from the city and avoid chaos. Their failed attempt got them imprisoned. -
New Constitution
The National Assembly came up with constitutional monarchy. The Assembly then dissolved and reformed as the Legislative Assembly. None of the National Assembly members were in the Legislative Assembly. -
Tuileries Palace Attack
The French government was in a difficult situation. The Austrian armies (France and Austria were at war) invaded French territory. King Louis XVI was known as a traitor. The Legislative Assembly arrested them. Many royals were executed. -
Reign of Terror
Robespierre became the leader of the Reign of Terror. He wanted to eliminate all of France's enemies and threats to keep peace in France. Many French leaders were dead or had left the country. Robespierre was later arrested and guillotined. -
Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte
After Robespierre's end, the National Convention created a new constitution implemented in 1795. The rulers of this new government were now a Directory made up of 5 members. This Directory became corrupt shortly after its commence. Napoleon returned from an expedition and called himself the First Consul.
