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Louis XVI calls the Estates-General
On May 1st, 1789, the clergy, the nobles, and the common people came together for an assembly representing the French estates of the realm. In the town of Versallies, King Louis XVI proposed solutions to his government about finacial problems. Louis XVI wanted to approve a new taxation plan. -
The Tennis Court Oath
On June 20th, 1789, the deputies of the Third Estate were coming together for a meeting to discuss the reforms proposed by the Prime Minister. The men of the Third Estate tried to get into the meeting hall but it was locked. They thought that Louis XVI purposely did that so that could not talk about reforms. The then, moved the meeting to an indoor tennis court. They took an oath to remained joined until a constitution was made. -
The Storming of the Bastille
On July 14th, 1789, a mob marched to the Bastille searching for prisoners and gun powder that had been taken by King Louis XVI. The man that governed the Bastille had heard rumors but was not expecting a huge mob. The people felt that we had an overtaxing and overbearing government. The mob captured people and paraded the streets with their captives. They protested the injustice government. -
The National Assembly Acts
The Declaration of Rights of Man, was passed by the National Assembly on the 26th of August, 1789. It presented the world the ideas and principles of the Revolution, and explained how absoluttism is destructive to government. The Declaration became the preamble to the Constitution and is about inalienable rights of individuals, liberty, and political equality. Most of the ideas were inspired by the Enlightment. -
Robespierre and the Reign of Terror
In the 1790's, anyone who opposed Robespierre's idealism was judicially murdered, by the guillotine. During this time Robspierre had a lot of power. He would kill anyone who said something or argued about his polices. He was the leader of public safety which dealt with threats to France. Robespierre ends up upsetting the people with all his killings, and he is arrested and killed. -
The Monarchy is Abolished
One year after Louis XVI pretty much lost all his power, due to the constitution, the Legislative Assembly voted to abolish the monarchy and establish the First Republic. King Louis XVI was stripped of his power. -
The Third Stage and Napoleon Rises to Power
After the 3rd Constitution they created a 5 man Directory. It caused rising food prices and rebellion. Napoleon rapidly rose through the ranks of the military during the French Revolution and seized political power in France in 1799. He overthrew the Directory and crowned himself emperor in 1804. He was very successful with war and managed to expand his empire. -
The Spread of Nationalism
Between the 19th and 20th century, Napoleon spread the principles of the French Revolution beyond France. The French showed Europe what nationalism was by spreading Enlightment ideas and military campaigns.
