1. Louis XVI calls for the Estates General to meet.

  • 2. Representatives from the three Estates meet at Versailles

    2. Representatives from the three Estates meet at Versailles
    The first estate was the clergy; the second estate, the nobility and the third estate the commoners. The opening of the Estates General, on 5 May 1789 in Versailles, also marked the start of the French Revolution.
  • 3. Louis XVI has the Third Estate locked out of the Estates General meeting

    3. Louis XVI has the Third Estate locked out of the Estates General meeting
    The National Assembly was formed when the 3rd estate was locked out of of the Estates-General meeting by King Louis.
  • 4. Third Estate takes the Tennis Court Oath

    4. Third Estate takes the Tennis Court Oath
    When the Third Estate gathered to meet on June 20th, they found the doors to their meeting hall locked and guarded
  • 7. The women of Paris arrest Louis XVI and take him back to Paris

    7. The women of Paris arrest Louis XVI and take him back to Paris
    The Flight to Varennes, or the royal family’s unsuccessful escape from Paris during the night of June 20-21, 1791
  • 5. Louis XVI calls for the National Assembly to meet to create a constitution

    5. Louis XVI calls for the National Assembly to meet to create a constitution
    ordered the three estates to meet together as the National Assembly and vote, by population, on a constitution for France.
  • 6. The people of Paris storm the Bastille

    6. The people of Paris storm the Bastille
    state prison on the east side of Paris, known as the Bastille, was attacked by an angry and aggressive mob.