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The Tennis Court Oath
The Estates General began to weaken when its framework led to a difference of opinion within the Third Estate. The Third Estate decided to stick with representing their right and opposed Louis XVI when he did not allow each delegate to vote. The Third Estate, which was made up of mostly Bourgeoisie, were locked out of a meeting of the Estates General, so they met inside a tennis court where they establish the National Assembly and reasoned to draw up a constitution based on popular sovereignty. -
The Great Fear
Political crisis and rural unrest was present in France. Peasants went hungry, grain prices rapidly increased, and people went broke trying to buy bread. Rumors also sparked the "Great Fear" when rumors led to panic within villages that governemnt troops were taking peasant crops. During hard times, peasants attacked the nobles when nobles tried to reimpose medieval dues by ransacking the castles of the nobles and destrying documents. Peasants fought against the unjust regime. -
The Fall of Bastille
When rumors spread about royal troops occupying Paris, many Parisians gathered outside the Bastille, a medieval fortress used as a prison to demand weapons and gun poweder. Chaos broke out, killing hundreds in the crowd. The mob broke through the barriers, finding no weapons. This event became a symbol of tyranny and a symbol of the French Revolution. -
The Declaration of the Rights of Man
First step toward a constitution. It was based of of the structure of the American Declaration of Indpendence. It stated all men were, "born and remain free and equal in rights." Natural rights to, "liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression." It also declared all male citizens equal before the law. French men were allowed to hold public office with "no distinctions on their virtues and talents." Asserted freedom of religions and taxed to be levied according to pay. -
Women March on Versailles
A large crowd of women began to riot over the scarce quantity of bread and the rising prices of it. The women marched for twelve miles from Paris to Versailles. These women were fed up with the extravagant living of the King and Queen, when they were going hungry. The women demanded for the King to return with them to Paris. He agreed. The women were taking action during the revolution. This signifies that the king was no longer in control to make decions. Favored the common people. -
Civil Constitution of the Clergy
The Catholic Church was taken over by the National Assembly, in which they established a national church system with elected clergy. There were 83 bishops, one for each department. The French monarchy were in charge of making laws and regulations pertaining to the church. Many opposed. -
The Royal Escape
King Louis XVI of France, along with his wife Marie Antoinette decided to escape their embarassing situation in Paris. Louis agreed. He disguised himself with his family. However, their disguises were revealed. They were returned back to Paris, this time confined to the Tuileries Palace. They were seen as traitors to the revolution.Reactions within France, as well as outside of France spurred about the king. Louis received threats from abroad. -
Declaration of Pilnitz
In response to Louis XVI’s capture the king of Prussia and the emperor of Austria (Marie Antoinette's brother), issued this. They warned that in order to protect the Fench monarchy, they will intervene if needed. This made French Revolutionaries make cautious actions. Subsequently, revolutionaries saw this and prepared for war -
The Constitution of 1791
It abolished many “institutions which were injurious to liberty and equality of rights." It replaced the absolute mocarchy in France by a limited monarchy. Also, a new legislative Assembly was in charge of making laws, collecting taxes, and deciding on affairs concerning war and peace. Male citizens that payed taxes were allowed to elcet the lawmakers. Old provinces were replaced. It was important because it reflected the Enlightenment goals, ensuring equality before the law for all citizens. -
Creation of National Convention/Assembly
The National Convention was elected as a legislative body by radicals. It held executive power in France. The Convention voted to abolish the monarchy and declare France a republic. The Jacobins controlled the convention. They wanted to dissolve old order. They took lands and titles away that belonged to the nobility. -
Execution of a Monarch
Thr National Convention held Louis XVI on trial for being a traitor to France. The king was then sentenced to death by a single vote. His words before he was killed were ignored as the crowd and drums masked them. He was sent to the guillotine, where he was beheaded. This was significant because people were now making decisions and held the power. -
The Reign of Terror
Many executions took place against the enemies of the revolution. People who went against the ideas of the Revolution were instantly put in prison and killed. If any ordinary person said someting counter-revolutionary, they would end up at the guillotine, a blade that beheaded people. 40,000 died during this time, sparking a terror. Nobles and clergy, middle-class citizens, and peasants were killed. Robespierre was behind the Reign of Terror. He stated terror would lead to the Republic of Virtue -
The Directory
The Constitution of 1795 established this five-man Directory and a two-house legislature elected by male citizens of property. It faced dissatisfaction. The leaders did not always succeed in solving problems. The Directory helped silence riots, like the san-culottes with increasing bread prices. They made a mistake when they turned to Napoleon Bonaparte for help in advancing their ideas when he ended up becoming ruler of France. -
Napoleon becomes Consulate
Napolean had demonstrated made successes early on in his life. His military career was prevelant when he drove out British forces out of the French port of Toulon and when he won victories against Austrians. His successes made him ambitious. He became popular in France as a hero. He became a political leader, and installed a Coup d'Etat. He later overthrew a Directory and set up a Consulate. He then took up a title of First Consul for life. -
The Coronation of an Emporer
Napolean had gained much power now to seize the title Emperor of the French. Napoleon held plebiscites to vote for in favor of his strong leadership. He promised to bring "order and stablilty." He invited the pope to Notre Dame cathedral in Paris for his coronation. Napoleon take the crown from the pope and places it on his head. He shows he wants to be the most powerful in Europe. He knew people supported him on his rise to power.
