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The Estates General
Image CitationSummary CitationThe first meeting of the Estates General was called together by Louis XIV to propose a solution to the government’s financial problems. The Estates General was made of three groups of people, the nobles, the clergy, and the rest of the Third Estate. The Third Estate formed a National Assembly bringing the Estates General to an end and starting the French Revolution. -
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Events During The French Revolution
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Storming Of Bastille
Image CitationSummary CitationThe Storming or Fall of the Bastille was symbolic of Louis’ regime. On July 14, 1789 a group of people stormed on the Bastille, a medieval fortress and prison in Paris in order to show their frustrations to the monarchy. -
Women's March on Versailles
Image CitationSummary CitationThe Women’s March on Versailles began the morning of October 5th, 1789 when the people of Paris, mostly women, were upset by the high price and scarcity of bread. The women formed allies and marched to Versailles and pressed their demands upon Louis XVI. The march symbolized a new balance of power that favored the common people. -
Flight to Varennes
Image CitationSummary CitationOn June 20, 1791 Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and their families attempted to escape Paris because the Assembly wanted to place limitations on the king's power. Their plan was to escape to Austria and become absolute monarchs however they were caught in the small town Varennes and forced back. King Louis’s attempt to escape created hostility towards French Monarchy. -
The Dissolution of The National Assembly
Image CitationSummary Citation The National Assembly originally summoned by King Louis XVI dissolved itself on September 30, 1791. The day following the dissolution France was declared a constitutional monarchy and the Constitution of 1791 went into effect. The National Assembly was replaced with another political group named the Legislative Assembly. -
France Declares War With Austria
Image Citations Summary Citations Revolutionary France was seen as a threat to other European monarchies such as Austria. The issue of war dominated all conversations of the Legislative Assembly. Revolutionaries pushed for war because they believed it would spread the ideas of the Revolution around Europe, whereas monarchies pushed for war because they believed it would be an easy win. War was declared on April 20, 1792. -
Attack on the Tuileries Palace
Image CitationSummary CitationFrance found themselves under a lot of pressure when Austria and their Prussian allies were advancing into their territory. The Legislative Assembly was dissolved. On August 10, 1792 the National Guard of the Insurrectional Paris Commune from Marseilles and Brittany stormed the Tuileries Palace. This led to the end of the monarchy and became one of the first acts of the National Convention. -
The September Massecures
Image CitationSummary Citation A series of mass killings occurred in Paris. The fear of attacks from foreign countries and the country’s own inmates hovered over the minds of many people. Radicals decided the only way to prevent the attacks from happening would be to kill the inmates before they could be freed. -
The French First Republic
Image CitationSummary Citation The creation of the French First Republic was caused by the war between France and Austria in 1792. During this war political turmoil only got worse which lead to a series of bloody battles. Six members of the Legislative assembly met and were assigned the task of overseeing elections. The result was the establishment of the French First Republic which stripped King Louis XVI of all of his powers.
Summary Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_First_Republic
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The Trial of King Louis XVI
Image CitationSummary Citation The trial of King Louis XVI called by the Convention took place over the course of several days. Louis was found guilty of treason as well as 32 other counts of injustice to the people. With an unanimous vote of 21-3 Louis was given the death penalty. -
Execution of Louis XVI
Image CitationSummary Citation King Louis XVI was executed via guillotine on January 21, 1793. There were many reasons for his execution including the Flight to Varennes, charges of treason, and counterrevolutionary actions with Austria. -
The Reign of Terror
Image CitationSummary Citation The Reign of Terror was a time during Europe when those who did not support the ideas of the Revolution were executed via guillotine. This era took the lives of many important leaders including Robespierre as well as between 18,500 to 40,00 people. -
The Formation Of The Directory
Image CitationSummary CitationAfter the Reign of Terror the National Convention instituted a new political branch called the Directory. The Directory consisted of five members of the executive council that operated by the Committee of Public Safety. Since the start the Directory was corrupt, had political and financial issues and relied heavily on the army. It was later overthrown by Napoleon Bonaparte. -
The Rise Of Napoleon Bonaparte
Image CitationSummary Citation Napoleon Bonaparte was a successful military commander. During one of his expeditions in Egypt, Napoleon returned early to France because there was a change in the government. Napoleon substituted the Directory for himself as the First Consul in his newly established Consulate. -
The End Of The French Revolution
Image CitationSummary CitationImage Citation The French Revolution was brought to an end in 1799. Napoleon Bonaparte was able to control the military, rewrite laws in a way that benefited France, end corruption, and overall stabilize France after its many years of conflict.
