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Deficit Spending and Economic Reform
Financial IssuesFrance starts going into debt after Louis XIV's death. Costs started to rise and the costs of the wars made them go into debt even more. In the 1780s, a bad harvest occurred, which caused food prices to rise and peasants were suffering from hunger. By 1789, almost all of the government's money went to paying the interest on the debts they had. The heirs after Louis XIV didn't help to solve the debt. They continued to live their lavish lifestyles and increase the debt. -
Louis XVI Calls the Estates-General
Louis XVI was demanded to summon the Estates-General because the debt crisis kept prevailing. They were called for the first time in 175 years. He ordered them to meet at the Palace of Versailles. -
Parisians storm the Bastille
Paris took over the attention from the National Assembly meeting in Versailles. About 800 Parisians gathered outside the Bastille. The were there demanding weapons. The commander wouldn't open the doors and started open fire on the mob of people. After a while, the mob made it into the Bastille and killed the commander. This fight at the Bastille was a wake up call to Louis XVI. This protest resulted in the celebration of Bastille Day, which they celebrated since 1880. -
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National Assembly Acts
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the CitizenThe National Assembly approved the Declaration of the Rights of Man. It stated "All men were born and remain free and equal in rights." On October 5, six thousand women marched from Paris to Versailles, shouting "Bread!" They demanded to see the king and brought him and his family to Paris. In order to help pay off debts, the French Catholic Church went under state control so that they could sell Church lands. Lastly, a constitution was produced to replace absolute monarchy in France. -
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Third Stage of the Revolution
The Constitution of 1795Since the Reign of Terror had a big impact on Britain, the revolution ended up going through a third stage. A new constitution, The Constitution of 1795, was written. The Directory now held power from 1795 to 1799. The Directory's power was weak and faced some threats. While it was still hectic, many politicians went to Napoleon for help because he won many battles and was popular with everyone. Politicians wanted to use Napoleon to advace with their own goals, but he had another idea. -
Threats from Abroad
After Louis XVI's escaped failed, the king of Prussia and the emperor of Austria issued the Declaration of Pilnitz. This document stated that the two monarchs would intervene to protect the French monarchy. People weren't sure if it was a bluff or not, but France was prepared for a war. -
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Civil War
War TimelineThe French and Europeans had a verbal war at first, but it then resulted in acutal fighting.The Legislative Assembly wanted to abolish tyranny all over. To do this, they first targeted Austria. Then, they moved on to Prussia, Britain, and other close states. The radicals thought that they could easily win, but the fighting continued every now and then up until 1815. -
Monarchy is Abolished
The Convention that met was more radical than previous times. These specific group of people voted to get rid of monarchy and develop a republic, known as the French Republic. A new constitution was soon written. Soon, they abolished titles of nobility and claimed lands. Louis XVI was put up for trial and was executed. In October, Marie Antoinette was also exectued. -
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Spread of Nationalism
La MarseillaiseAfter Nationalism was spread throughout France, people attended festivals to celebrate the revolution and the nation. Certain dances and songs were introduced and became popular. In 1793, France was a new nation. Troops marched from Marseilles singing "La Marseillaise". The song was intended to drive the "children of the fatherland" to march against the "bloody banner of tyranny." La Marseillaise later became the French National anthem. -
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Robespierre and the Reign of Terror
The Reign of TerrorRobespierre had leadership in the Committee of Public Safety. He believed in order for France to achieve a "republic of virtue", it had to be done by the use of terror. He said "Liberty cannot be secured unless criminals lose their heads." As one of the main designers of the Reign of Terror, the guillotine was used to publicly execute criminals. Then, members of the Convention turned on the Committee of Public Safety and Robespierre was arrested on July 27, 1794. He was executed the next day.
