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Meeting of the Estates General
With the French Government in Bankruptcy and extreme poverty, Louis XIV decided that the French Nation needed more Taxes. There were representatives of every group including the aristocrats and the common people. The Aristocrats still won the discussion though and no taxes were given to them. This planted a seed of rebellion within the people of France. -
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National Assembly formed and sworn in
The early revolutionaries created their own French National Assembly on the 17th and 18th. On the 20th they took an oath known as the "Tennis Coart Oath" sworn in on an indoor tennis court that vowed not to rest in their efforts of revolution until a new government has been established.
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The Storming of The Bastille
The common people and revolutionaries alike attacked the Bastille- a a huge prison. By attacking this great building the people realeased prisoners and devestated the government. This became a turning point and official start of the French Revolution. -
The Decleration of the Rights of a Man of The Citizens
This was 17 Articles published by the Revolutionaries stating new principles of the French government and makig France a secular republic. This also included limiting the rights of the the King, Royals, Aristocrats, and Clergies. It later became the basis for a completley new constitutuion. -
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The fall of Louis XVI
On the 20th of June 1791 King Louis XVI and his family attempted to flee the country but were stopped and incarcerated. Two years of coninement and prosecution ended on the 21st of January 1793 when the Government officials executed the King and his wife by Guillotine.
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The Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror was a period of mass execution of any French Loyalists by guillotine. This Period ends when Government Official Robespierre is guillotined in August of 1794- marking the last known Exeution by guillotine in World History.
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Directory Established
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Napoleon Overthrows the Directory
This is right after the Revolution following the establishment of the Directory and France is practicing it's new government. Decpite the efforts of the new government, the nation is still very deep in debt and poverty. The only thing going well for France it their Military efforts commanded by Napoleon Bonaparte. He sees himself as the most important leading figure of France which leads him to order his men to dismantle the Directory and later become the Emporer of France.
