-
Period: to
The French Revolution
-
The "Tennis Court Oath"
The people of the Third Estate realized that they would always be outvoted by the 1st and 2nd estate, so they created their own assembly where they could vote called the national assembly. The King locked them out of the Palace of Versailles where they would normally meet, so the third estate went to the next biggest place they could find which was a tennis court. There, they made an oath not to leave until France had a new constitution. -
The storming of the Bastille
The state prison on the east side of Paris known as the Bastille was attacked by an angry mob. The mob wanted ammunition from the high ammunition stores in the Bastille, but the Prison Governor refused. In response, the mob charged and attacked the Bastille, and after a violent battle, they took possession of the prison. This attack symbolically marked the beginning of the French Revolution. -
The Wive's March
A large group of women in a Paris marketplace started a revolt because they could not buy bread for their families (price was too high). They marched all the way to the Palace of Versailles to confront the Louis XVI. The king gave them food, but it was not enough to satisfy them so a fight broke out. Once peace was restored, the women demanded both the king and queen come to Paris. They eventually agreed and went to Paris ended up never returning back to Versailles. -
Louis and Antoinette Flee; Captured at Varennes
The Royal Family felt threatened ever since the Wive's March on Versailles, so they decided to try and flee from Paris. They planed to head north east to Montmedy, because Louis thought he still had support in the country. While they were trying to escape, a local postman recognized Mary Antoinette and Louis and told the authorities. The whole royal family was taken back to Paris, put in prison and tried for treason. -
France Declares War on Austria
The Revolutionaries in France wanted war because they thought it would unify the country again, and spread ideas of a revolution all over Europe. On April 20th, 1792 the Legislative Assembly in France declared war on Austria. This was the beginning of the Revolutionary wars. -
The First Use of the Guillotine
The first victim of the Guillotine was a highway man named Nicolas Jacques Pelletier. The guillotine was invented because people complained that public execution methods were to torturous. The guillotine was a quick merciful way to die. After the kill of the highway man the guillotine was deemed successful so manufacturers made tons of models and toys based on it and the guillotine became a big part of French Culture. -
Louis XVI is Executed
At their first meeting after France becomes a republic, the National Conventions, decides to try king Louis XVI for treason, they find him guilty. They execute him on January 21, 1793 . The king's execution cause resistance to break out all over Europe. Lots of European countries turn against France -
New Constitution Proclaimed
After the fall of 1792, the National Convention started the task of making a new constitution. The new constitution established political democracy, universal manhood voting rights, and the equal application of the law to all citizens. The Constitution of 1793 offered a model framework for a republic democracy. -
Marie Antoinette Executed
Her trial began on October 14, 1793 and she was executed two days later. Before her execution she was in a prison for 2 months. She was convicted by the Revolutionary Tribunal of high treason. and executed by the guillotine. When he head fell, the crowd yelled, "Vive La Republique" -
France Adopts a New National Anthem
On July 14, 1795 France adopts a new national anthem called, "La Marseillaise." After France declared war on Austria, the mayor of french town decided that they needed a marching song for the French troops. This was the song. The song became so popular that it was sung at big events all over in France. -
Napoleon Becomes First Consul
On November 2nd a Directory is formed, but on November 9th Napoleon overthrows the Directory and establishes the French Consulate. Napoleon makes himself leader of France and becomes the first consul of France. As a result of Napoleon becoming the leader, the French Revolution ends.
