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Poor Harvests and Financial Difficulties
Poor harvests and financial struggles from excessive spending and foreign wars led to unrest in the common people. -
King Louis XVI Calls Estates General
An unstable, rioting France prompted the King to summon the Estates General to figure out a solution to the crisis France was facing. -
The National Assembly Formed
The Third Estate, made up of the common people, wanted to have a bigger voice in the decisions of the Estates General, so they broke off and formed the National Assembly and invited the other Estates to join. -
Tennis Court Oath
The king closed the meeting hall of the Third Estate in an attempt to stop the National Assembly. The Assembly then moved to the tennis courts outside and swore an oath to stay there until a constiution is approved. -
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The Great Fear
Peasants riot because they fear the revenge of the upper class. -
The Storming of the Bastille
A group of mostly Parisians stormed and destroyed the Bastille, to try and prevent the king from dissovling the National Assembly. The storming became a symbol of the Revolution and an icon of the people's triumph for liberty. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
This document was passed by the National Assembly and inspired by America's Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights. It doesn't mention France because the writers wanted it to be passed by all countries. -
The Women's March Upon Versailles
This march was led by the women of Paris to force the royal family back to Paris, where Louis XVI was considered by some to be a "prisoner" in Paris. -
The Constiution of 1791
Following in the steps of America, France established a governemnt based on popular sovereignty after the collapse of the absolute monarchy and the Ancient Regime. -
The Legislative Assembly Declares War on Austria
Other countires were wary of revolutionary France and the French people were ready for war because they thought it would unite the country. -
King Louis XVI Executed by Guillotine
The king had been found guilty of conspiring against the nation and was guillotined. -
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Reign of Terror
The King had attempted to flee the country and Robespierre took over claiming to rule in the name of the people, but instead installing himself as a dictator. -
The Directory is Installed
The government in France during the penultimate stage of the French Revolution. Was overthrown by Napoleon
