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The meeting of the estates-general
By the 1780s France's once prosperous economy was in decline. Part of the problem was due to the extravagant spending of Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette.
On May, 5, 1789 Louis XVI and others attended a meeting to discuss the problems.
This date I believe, was one of the most important days of french history because it marks the beginning of the destruction of the french monarchy as well the beginning of the French Revolution. The Revolution was the reformation of classist french state. -
Sieyés statement accepted
During the late 1700s France was divided into three large social classes. The first class was full of the Roman Catholic Church, the second estate was filled with nobles, and the third which made 80% of France's Population was filled with businessmen educated and skilled workers and peasant farmers.
On June, 17, 1789 the third estate voted to establish a name for themselves, The National assembly. They did this in hopes of destroying the monarchy and making France & republic. They succeeded! -
Storming the Bastille
On July, 14, 1789 a french mob searching for gunpowder stormed the Bastille. About 100 people were killed. Ever since the 14th of July in France has become known as Bastille day.
This date is one of the important ones in history because it has became a great symbolic act of the Revolution to the French people. -
The abolition of the old regime
During the night on this day nobles made speeches confessing their love for liberty and equality. They did this out of fear and not out of pure idealism. By the next morning the old regime was finished.
This is one of the most important dates in history because it was the end of France's classist ways. That night the feudal privileges of the first and second estates in France were abolished. This made all three of the estates equal. -
The king tries to flee
As the national assembly resumed the relationship between the state and the church King Louis XVI pondered his fate. His advisors told him that he was in danger. So the king and his family attempted to flee France.
This is one of the most important actions in history because it sealed Louis' fate as a king. It also increased the influence of his radical enemies in the government. They failed to flee and were apprehended at the borders of France. This occurred in June of 1791. -
The new constitution
In September 1791 the National Assembly created a new constitution. This created a limited constitutional monarchy which stripped the king of much of his power. It also created a new legislative body called the legislative assembly.
This is a very important action because here the king loses much of his authority. The new body had the power to create laws and and approve or reject declarations of war.
The king still held executive power though. -
Louis XVI imprisoned
On August 10 of 1792 about 20000 men and women invaded Tuileries the palace where the royal family was staying. The mob killed some of the guards and captured king Louis. They also imprisoned Marie Antoinette the kings wife and their children.
This is one of the most important dates in history because it is near the time king Louis was executed. He lost his kingship as he was declared deposed by the Legislative Assembly. This called for the election of a new legislature. -
Robespierre and the reign of terror
Robespierre was one who set to out to make France a republic of virtue. In July 1793 he became leader of the Committee of public safety and for the next year ruled France virtually as a dictator. His reign was called the reign of terror.
This was important because Maximilien was the first to assume power after the execution of Louis XVI. There were some 40 000 executions during the reign of terror. Robespierre killed many unreasonably in my opinion. -
The ex king is executed
The National convention had diminished king Louis XVI's role as a king to that of a citizen and prisoner. The National convention now tried Louis for treason. The convention found him guilty and on January 21, 1793 the ex king was executed.
This was important because it marked the end of the reign of the Auguste family. This was also the last king before the reign of terror. The end of King Louis' reign was a huge step towards a French republic. -
The end of The Reign of Terror
On July 28 1794 Robespierre was executed by the guillotine and this was the end of The Reign of Terror. People became weary of the heavy reign of Maximilien Robespierre. They were tired of the terror he brought and the extreme prices for bread, salt and other necessities.
The first reign after the end of the Auguste monarchy was a very heavy reign for the french people and an important one as well. It is untold if Robspierre ever accomplished his dream of making France a republic though. -
Sources
Vhs learning World History: 1450 - Present (TM_22-23) https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/472250/viewContent/3918435/View https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/472250/viewContent/3918436/View https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/472250/viewContent/3918437/View https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/472250/viewContent/3918438/View https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/472250/viewContent/3918439/View