-
Period: to
Deficit Spending by the Government
Deficit spendingFrance was in debt due to the Seven Year War and the American Revolution. The government was spending more money than they had. Louis XV put himself over serious bisinesses and increased the debts. By 1789 half of the governments income from taxes was going to interest of the debt. -
Period: to
Louis XVI Calls the Estate-- General
The Estate GeneralLouis XVI summons the Estates General to meet at Versailles the following year at the end of 1788. When they meet Louis asks the Estates to bring a notebooks for listing their grievances. Many called for reforms such as fairer taxes, freedom of press, and regular meetings of the Estate General. In June of 1789 the Estates claimed to represent the people of France. A few days later they took the Tenis Court Oath. -
Attack on the Bastille
Rumor spreads through Paris that royal troop were coming to the capital. Over 800 people gathered out side the Bastille. The Bastille was a prison and a symbol of horror to the people. At first the commander won't open the gates and guards fight the angry mob, but soon the mob bursts through the gates to find gun powder and kill the commander and parade his head on stick. There was no gun powder found, but prisoners were released. The people destoryed the Bastille with their bare hands by brick. -
The National Assembly Acts
The storm of the Bastille made the National Assembly take action. They call an alnight meeting in which nobles with in the assembly give up their priviledges. They give up their manorial dues, exclusive hunting rights, special legal status and exemption from taxes. Within the alnight meeting Feudalism was abolished from France. Later in August the National Assembly wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Men. This Document gave equal rights to all men -
March to Versailles
Six thousand women came together and marched 13 miles to Versailles demanding to see the king. Most of the women's anger was directed to the queens extravaaganent lifestyle. The women refused to leave Versailes until the king and his family moved back to Paris. The king agreed; for three years he was a virtual prisoner. -
Church is under Control
The National Assembly makes a radical move and puts the Catholic Church under state control. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was issued in 1790. With this document bishops and priest became elected salaried officails. This document ended papal authority. Anger upprised; most bishops and priest refused to accept it and the pope condemned it. -
Threats From Abroad
LouisXVI's failed escape attempt brought more discontent from the abroad. The king of Prussia and the emperor of Austria issued the Declaration of Pilnitz. This document threatened that thw two monarchies would intervene to protect the monarchy of France. This document could of contained only empty threats, but France to it seriously and started to prepare for war -
Constitution of 1791
The Natrion Assembly finally completed their main task by writing the Constitution of 1791. This document set up a limitted monarchy instead of an absolute monarchy. A Legislative Assembly had power to make laws, cllect taxes and decide on issues.This helped make a more efficient government. -
Monarchy is Abolished
In the convention that met had more radicals in it than earlier assemblies. It voted to abolish the monarchy and to establish a republic. A new constitution was for France was written.The Jacobins wanted to earse all traces of the old oder, so the abolished all titles of nobility. It is decided later that the king will be executed in oder for the revolution to live. -
Nationalism Spreads Through France
The revolution caused the people of France to have a sense of nationalism. The people of France now have a feeling of pride and devotion within their country. The people attended civic festivals ro celebrate the nation and the revolution. -
Period: to
Robespierre and the Reign of Terror
Reign of terrorRobespierre was a lawyer and politician who rose to the Committee of Public Safety. Robespierre was one of the main architects of the Reign of Terror. Robespierre believed the Terror was necessary to achieve the goals of the revolution. During the Reign of Terror suspects were the ones who resisted the revolution. About 300,000 people were thrown into prison. About 17,000 were executed by the guillotine, which was a symbol of horror. Most people were falsely accused by their nieghbors. -
End of Robespierre and the Terror
The Terror caused fear and bloodshed. In July the members within the Covention had fear for their own lives and turned on the Committee of Public Safety. On July 27 Robespierre was arrested. He was than executed the next day. After the death of Robespierre the Terror also died and executions slowed rapidly. -
Period: to
Third Stage of Revolution
french revolutionThe Revolution came to a third stage in result of the terror. In this stage the third consitution since 1789 was wrtten. The Constitution of 1795 had a five man directory and a two- house legislature who was elected by male citizens. The Directory kept a hold on France, but faced many growing challenge, such as revival royalist, emigres that returned to France,rising bread prices and supporters of a constitution monarchy.
