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Excessive spending and poor harvests lead to a financial crisis in France
Leading up to this time period, France's nobility had been using the wealth of France to better support their luxurious lifestyle. The least wealthy, the commoners, were subject to taxation by Louis XVI and were forced to live under his tyranny and be crushed by this excessive spending. This extreme taxation of the poor to keep up with the wealthiness of the rich as well as Louis XVI military escapades began to take a toll and further divide the rich and the poor. -
King Louis XVI calls the Estates General
Because of the financial problems escalating within France, King Louis XVI convened the Estates General. He called this Estates General to elect new representatives and to determine how the Estates General would vote, which it would be determined that each estate would get one vote. This was a rigged election, as the Third Estate, composed of mainly commoners, would always be outvoted from the first two estates. This lead to the Third Estate further dividing themselves from the upper classes. -
First and Second Estates join the Third Estate in the newly formed National Assembly
Following Louis XVI calling for the Estates General, the three Estates decided to merge together in order to form the National Assembly. This was in an attempt to shift the power to the French people and to limit the power of the monarchy. This move was made in an attempt to unify the three classes of France, as they had previously been very divided by economic means. The forming of the National Assembly angered the monarchy, and led to more political divisions and the Revolution. -
The Tennis Court Oath
The Tennis Court Oath was an oath signed by many members of the Estates General, who were extremely frustrated by Louis XVI and his increasing power and absolutism. The Tennis Court Oath promised to create a national constitution, as well as trying to limit what power Louis XVI had. This oath tried to show the King that his power would be limited one way or another. -
The Storming of the Bastille
After the formation of the National Assembly, King Louis XVI publicly denounced the unification of the three Estates. The common people of France were furious, as they felt that the monarchy was not treating them equally and they were being constantly taxed. Because of this inequality forced upon the peasants, they decided to storm the Bastille. The Bastille was the military castle, and the commoners stole and armed themselves. This action was one of the main causes for the Revolution beginning. -
The Great Fear in the Countryside
The Great Fear in the Countryside was peasant rebellions along the French countryside. These rebellions were sparked by the ongoing disputes between the National Assembly and the monarchy, as they could not agree on equality for French citizens. Other factors for these rebellions were the increasing price of bread, a staple French food, as well as the oppression of peasants. These events only escalated the French Revolution into further violence. -
The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
Because of the tyranny occurring in France, the newly formed National Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen in order to promote equality. This new declaration made equality, both social and economic, a main focus for the Revolution. This Declaration said that every person had inalienable rights, and didn't just focus on France but people in general. The wealthy did not agree with all equality of everyone in France, as this argued their tyrannical wellbeing. -
The Women’s March on Versailles
The Women's March on Versailles occurred during the beginning stages of the Revolution. As bread prices were continually rising, women in Paris were getting increasingly agitated. Women were upset that the wealthy were living a life of luxury, as their families were struggling to obtain bread. They decided to become armed and march to Versailles, to voice their demands to the monarchy in an attempt for change. -
The Constitution of 1791 sets up a Constitutional Monarchy in France
Following the National Assembly's creation, the Constitution of 1791 was created after three years of work. This constitution established the new French government, a constitutional monarchy. This constitutional monarchy also enforced a legislative body which was in charge of raising or lowering the taxes as well as all military decisions. Representatives were voted on by active, white citizens. This became invalid after a year when the Reign of Terror began. -
The Legislative Assembly declares war on Austria
Shortly after the idea of a constitutional monarchy was implemented in France, war was declared on Austria. War was declared because Austria maintained a military presence within the northern region of France, due to the inability of France failing to stabilize their government. This was an unwise move from the Legislative Assembly, leading to failure and the assembly becoming disbanded. The failure with Austria lead to the Reign of Terror. -
Louis XVI is executed at the Guillotine
Leading up to this point in history, the French people were becoming increasingly more agitated with the rule of monarch Louis XVI. Louis XVI was tried and found guilty of 33 counts of limiting the freedom and equality of French citizens. His execution lead to a time of insanity within France, with a man named Robespierre executing extreme amounts of people for opposition to him. Political upheaval was extremely imminent. -
Robespierre's Reign of Terror
Although Louis XVI execution was carried out, Maximilen de Robespierre assumed power in France. The time when Robespierre was in power was extremely unstable for France, leaving it ruined for decades to come. Robespierre tried and executed many French citizens who didn't abide by Robespierre's ideology for the Revolution. for any allegiance to the Old Regime and who did not support the values exhibited within the Revolution. -
The Directory is Installed
The Reign of Terror had taken its toll on France's government, and the people decided to overthrow the violent Robespierre. The Directory was then installed from 1795 until 1799, which had five directors ruling over it. The directory was biacmeral, and aimed at stabilizing the country and unify all of the French people. This form of government lasted until the leader Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew it and began his campaign for French expansion across Europe. This also was end of the Revolution.
