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The French Revolution
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Meeting of the Estates General
Finance was becoming tough, so Louis XVI decided to start taxing citizens instead of cutting his own expenses. This would be tough for the different estates. "However, the Second Estate forced him to call a meeting of the Estates-General—an assembly of representatives from all three estates—to approve this new tax”(McDougal). This was one of the most important events of the French Revolution, simply because it was the start of everything; it was the reason for the wars existence. -
Fall of the Bastille
<a href='https://courses.govhs.org/d2l/lp/navbars/116737/customlinks/external/24451' ></a>People began to believe Louis was planning a military attack against them. “People began to gather weapons in order to defend the city against attack. On July 14, a mob searching for gunpowder and arms stormed the Bastille, a Paris prison”(McDougal). This started the violent war. This was one of the most important events of the French Revolution because it began the actual fighting for human rights. -
March on Versailles
Citizens began to starve, while homeless and tired. They longed for a sudden reformation "They broke into the quarters of Queen Marie Antoinette who as an Austrian was particularly despised. The crowd demanded bread and wanted to bring the King and his family back to Paris to “live among the people”."(historylists.org). This is important because of the citizens taking a stand to fight back. -
Flight to Varennes
The royal family ditched their homeland and headed to Austria. Their absence would create a huge controversy in the town. "Now they had to deal with a monarch who was against the constitution and very unpopular with the people"(historylists.org). This was extremely important to the Revolution because the royal family, whom had started it, was now gone. -
Dissolution of the National Assembly
"France was proclaimed a constitutional monarchy, while the National Assembly was dissolved and replaced by a new political body named the Legislative Assembly"(historylists.org). No one who was on the National Assembly could be part of congress. They lost everyone who had any experiance with anything political. This is an important aspect to the Revolution because it made the change in the hands of the citizens. -
War
The war has now begun and "France was viewed with both fear and anger by the European monarchies, especially by the neighboring Austrian monarchy"(historylists.org). The revolution was spreading everywhere. This was an extremely important aspect to the Revolution because the war is what made it happen. -
Attack on the Tuileries Palace
"The Austrian army and its Prussian allies started advancing into the French territory"(historylists.org). Everything that could possible go wrong was happening, the king was leaving, the war grew. "A crowd of about 20,000 people attacked the Tuileries Palace" (historylists.org). This was one of the most important events of the Revolution because it was just getting worse and worse, but that meant the end was near. -
Declaration of the Republic and the Trial of Louis
"Following the arrests of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, the Legislative Assembly disbanded and replaced itself with a new political body named the National Convention."(historylists.org). Foreign invasion was also being prohibited. Louis and his wife were both on trial for their absences. This is extremely important for the Revolution because it showed a change in rulership. -
Reign of Terror
"The new National Convention was dominated by the Committee of Public Safety. One man in particular, Maximilien Robespierre came to dominate the Committee and established himself as the leader of the so-called Reign of Terror"(historylists.org). Everyone was either dead or dying all around. It ended in Robespierre's arrest. This is important to the Revolution because it shows the aftermath and beginning of the actual change. -
Directory and the Rise of Napoleon
"After the dramatic fall of Robespierre, the National Convention created a new constitution for France that was implemented in 1795"(historylists.org). The government was now restarting, along with the way of civilization. Napoleon Bonaparte is now taking over. This is the most important detail for the Revolution because this is exactly what the Revolution/change is. It's the light on the other side.
