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The Old Regime
The political and social system of France before the French Revolution, in which all were a subject of the king of France, as well as a member of an estate and province. All rights and status were granted from the social institutions, of which there were the clergy, the nobility, and all else. There was no national citizenship. -
Meeting of the Estates-General
During the 1770's and 80's, France was in deep debt. Louis XVI ignored these problems for as long as possible, and his wife, Marie Antoinette, was notorious for lavish spending. The Second Estate forced him to call a meeting of the Estates-General, to vote on a new tax on the nobility. -
The National Assembly
The clergyman Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyès, who was sympathetic to the Third Estate, suggested that the Third Estate's delegates name themselves the National Assembly. He believed that they should pass laws and reforms in the name of the French people. The Third Estate voted, and agreed to create the National Assembly, effectively ending absolute monarchy, and birthed representative government. -
The Tennis Court Oath
Three days after the approval of the National Assembly, the Third Estate delegates were barred from entering their meeting room. They proceeded to break into an indoor tennis court, and refused to leave until a new constitution had been drafted. Soon, nobles and members of the clergy joined the Third Estate delegates, while Louis XVI stationed his Swiss guards around Versailles. -
Storming of the Bastille
Bastille, a Paris prison, was stormed by a mob in search of gunpowder an arms. The guard was overwhelmed, and control of the building was seized. The prison commander and several guards were butchered, their heads put on pikes and paraded around the streets. -
The Abolition of Feudalism
Noblemen made speeches throughout the night, eloquently declaring their passion for liberty and equality. Though this was merely a facade, their motives more influenced by fear than by idealism, they joined the National Assembly's cause nonetheless. By morning, feudalism, and by extension the Old Regime, was dead. -
A Limited Monarchy
A new constitution was drafted, which was reluctantly approved by Louis XVI. It created a limited constitutional monarchy, in which the king was stripped of much of his power. It also formed the Legislative Assembly, which had the authority to create new laws and approve or reject declarations of war. The king, however, still held the executive power to enforce the laws. -
The Death of Louis XVI
The power of King Louis XVI was reduced to that of a common citizen and prisoner. He was put on trial, and was found guilty of treason. By a close vote, he was sentenced to death, and was beheaded by the guillotine. -
The Reign of Terror
Robespierre became the leader of the Committee of Public Safety. Under his authority, he governed France almost as a dictator, and the next year became known as "The Reign of Terror". His job was to protect the Revolution from it's enemies, but these "enemies" were typically tried in the morning and beheaded in the afternoon. -
Napolean Seizes Power
The Directory had lost control over and the confidence of the people of France. Napoleon Bonaparte, after returning from a successful campaign in Egypt, was urged by his friends to seize political power. He staged a hostile takeover of the national legislature, and was fearfully elected 1st Consul in a new government, giving him the power of a dictator.
