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The French aids the Americans in the Revolutionary War
After signing a Treaty of Alliance the French began sending troops, supplies, and arms to the US to help their fight against Britain. This encouraged the spread of ideas and helped the French Revolution begin. -
The calling of the Estates General
After 175 years, Louis XVI decided to call an Estates General that would take place a year later, in 1789. This was to discuss France's financial problems and it gave people hope that there might be change. -
Meeting of the Estates General
During the meeting the problem of how to vote arose again. If they kept it like it had previously been, then the third estate would be out voted by the 1st & 2nd estate. This contributed to the growing discontent of the third estate. -
National Assembly
The dissatisfaction from the meeting of the Estates General led to the creation of the National Assembly. The National Assembly was formed by the representatives of the Third Estate. Their existence would influence the French Revolution heavily. -
Tennis Court Oath
After getting locked out of the meeting hall, the newly formed National Assembly settled into a nearby tennis court. There they took an oath to not leave until a new constitution was written. -
Storming of the Bastille
A mob of Paris citizens began to raid the Bastille, a prison, to gather weapons, after rumors spread that Louis XVI was trying to suppress the revolution. It also foreshadowed how gory the revolution would be when they decapitated the governor's head and put in on a stake. This event is also considered the beginning of the FR. -
The Great Fear
Between Jul 17th and Aug 3rd, there was a sense of panic within the peasants because they thought the 1st and 2nd estate were trying to subdue the 3rd estate. -
Declaration of The Rights of Man and Citizen
A document passed by France's National Constituent Assembly, supplying a written constitution. This gave citizens their natural rights. -
March on Versailles
An angry mob of women marched to Versailles demanding food from the King and Queen. Before they could escape they met with them and they surprisingly agreed to distribute the bread they had in the palace. This marked the end of a monarchy in France when Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette lost their power of the people. -
Civil Constitution of the Clergy
The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was a law passed which reduced the number of bishops and made it so they had to swear loyalty to the new constitution and not the pope. It also made the tithe be paid by the state and no longer from taxing the people. This law limited the church and the 2nd estate's power. -
The Royal Family Flees
Fearing for his life, Louis XVI and his family attempted to flee to Austria. Along the way he was recognized and detained for attempting to flee the revolution. This showed he could no longer be trusted and guaranteed his execution. -
Paris Mob Attacks the Tuileries
An angry mob attacked the Tuileries Palace, where the Royal family was staying. Anticipating the attack, the Royal family fled to the home of the Legislative Assembly. Once again the angry mob began to kill guards and later Louis was arrested and stripped of his title of King. This event further marked the end of monarchy. -
Execution of Louis XVI
After being arrested at the Tuileries Palace, Louis, now just a regular citizen, was tried and found guilty. Following his trial he was decapitated by a guillotine in front of a crowd of more than 100,000 people. His death caused shock among other countries with monarchies, a king had been killed by the people he used to govern. -
Levee en Masse
The levee en masse called for all able bodied men to serve in the army. This changed warfare in Europe at the time, before only certain men were trained and man power was limited. Now France's army was expanded. -
Start of the Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror began with the election of Maxmilien Robespierre into the Committee of Public Safety where he assumed a dictator role. The goal was to eliminate those who were suspected of being against the Revolution (nobles, clergy etc) -
The Execution of Robespierre
Because of his tyranny, Robespierre was overthrown and killed by a guillotine, like so many others. His death marked the end of the Reign of Terror in France. -
Napoleon's Coup d'etat
Napoleon and a group overthrew the French Directory and established a three member consulate where Napoleon became 1st consul, giving him the most power. This marked the end of instability for France. -
Napoleon's Civil Code
Napoleon spend 4 years laying down framework for a new France gov't by establishing a set of straightforward laws. After a time of political turmoil in France this code gave people a uniform set of laws to conform to.
