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The Tennis Court Oath
The third estate of France took the famous oath in the tennis court built for Versailles. They gathered here because they had been locked out of the traditional meeting hall. The vote was "not to separate and to reassemble wherever necessary until the Constitution of the kingdom is established" according to the arts and culture section of google.com. This oath kickstarted what we know as the French revolution today. -
Storming of the Bastille
A state prison in France called the Bastille was attacked by a mob of angry revolutionaries. The Bastille served as a symbol of the dictatorial rule of the monarchy and the blow by the people is obviously symbolic of the revolution to follow. Around 100 people died that day. This is also important to the revolution because it shows the fervor the people felt to disband the tyrannical government currently in effect. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
This writing held a vast majority of enlightenment ideas that were present in France at the time. According to wikipedia.com "The Declaration was originally drafted by the Marquis de Lafayette, but the majority of the final draft came from the Abbé Sieyès." This writing was a fan to the sparks already starting in the upturned country. Very important to the revolution also, as it voiced the powerless majority. -
National Assembly Abolishes the Nobility
The purpose of this meeting was to abolish the feudal system in France. This would also get rid of the taxes and privileges of the higher class and bring more justice to the other classes. They were successful and now the Nobility practically did not exist. It was an important event for the french, because now, ordinary people were less likely to be essentially overridden by those of higher political standing. -
New Constitution Ratified
The new constitution of France, or in fact the first one was ratified (accepted) by the king. This meant that (according to wikipedia) “institutions which were injurious to liberty and equality of rights” could be abolished. It also saw the division of power among various branches designed to eliminate political corruption (big whoop) but notably did have a few flaws, namely monetary discrimination and lack of women's suffrage. It was important however, and a needed step towards French Freedom. -
First use of Guillotine
The guillotine was first used in 1792 when highwayman Nicolas Jacques Pelletier was beheaded for his crimes. This sparked a bloody chain that would end in the deaths of many. The guillotine was more humane than the previous methods of execution however. This was important to the revolution because it sped up the process of execution and allowed a staggering amount of efficiency. -
Louis XVI Executed
King Louis XVI was executed by guillotine in 1793 for treason. It is rumored that he had suggested improvements on the machine before he was convicted, and his death had a strange irony. His wife Mary Antoinette the same way at a later date. This sped the revolution along because after this, a leaderless country had to cope. -
France Declares War on Britain and Netherlands
This war was one of many fought by France during the revolution. The revolutionary government mobilized the entire nation and gathered fourteen armies. All of the soldiers numbered 1,200,000. This was important to the revolution as it showed a relentless lack of fiery spirit from France, the same spirit that began the revolution itself. -
New Constitution Proclaimed
The Montagnard Constitution was proclaimed in 1793. This constitution allowed suffrage for anyone not based on property or class. It also provided a framework for the revolutionary government. This was important because the groundwork was now laid for what the revolutionaries hoped to accomplish. -
Robespierre Guillotined
Maximilien Robespierre was executed in 1794. He was killed on the grounds of being an outlaw. Before he died, in a speech he told of according to Wikipedia, "the existence of internal enemies, conspirators, and calumniators". This was important to the revolution because the power-hungry leader had finally been removed and France could finally rest.