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Meeting of the Estates General
Louis XVI called a meeting for all three estates in order to approve a new tax he believed would solve the current financial crisis. However, the Third Estate suddenly decided to rename themselves the National Assembly. When they were locked out of the meeting room, they went to an indoor tennis court, where the Tennis Court Oath took place. This oath was to stay until they had come up with a new constitution. This event was so important because it was what first sparked the revolution. -
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French Revolution
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Fall of the Bastille
Citizens of Paris thought that Louis was going to use military force to dismiss the National Assembly. Others thought that foreigners were coming to massacre French citizens. In a state of panic, people gathered weapons. One day, a mob searching for gunpowder attacked Bastille, a Paris prison, killing the prison commander and many guards in the process. The fall of Bastille was important because it was known as a great symbolic act of revolution to the French people. -
March on Versailles
As rebellion spread, the people of Paris became hungry and restless. Food prices were high; citzens were angry. In October 1789, a riot of Parisiam woman broke out. Carrying weapons, they marched on Versailles. Turning their anger on Louis and his queen, the demanded he return to Paris. Eventually, Louis agreed, leaving Versailles soon after. This event signaled the "change of power and radical reforms about to overtake France." (McDougal Ch. 23 Sect. 1.4). -
Flight to Varennes
The National Assembly began making many changes; they declared that Church officials and priests were to be elected and paid as state officials. Now, the proceeds from the sale of the Church would help pay off France's overwhelming debt. Fearing for his safety, Louis and his family attempted to escape from France to the Austrian Netherlands. However, they were caught and sent back to Paris. Louis' actions increased the influence of his radical enemies. His attempted escape sealed his fate. -
Dissolution of the National Assembly
The new constitution had just come into effect; France was now a constitutional monarchy. The National Assembly was replaced with a new political body called the Legislative Assembly. This constitution also took away much of the King's power and authority - the Legislative Assembly now had the power to create laws and approve/reject war. This event was so important because Louis had lost even more power over France, and this revolution was changing the country. -
France At War
Other countries in Europe did not like the changes France was going through; they feared that similar revolts might break out near them. Austria and Prussia urged Louis to take power again - in response, the Legislative Assembly declared war. Both Louis XVI and the revolutionaties supported war; Louis thought it would overthrow the current government, while revolutionaries thought it would spread reform. This event was important - other countries were now involved with the French Revolution. -
Attack on the Tuileries Palace
Prussian forces were quickly advancing on Paris; the Prussian commander threatened to destroy Paris if any member of the royal family was harmed. Enraged, the Parisians - about 20,000 men and women - invaded the Tuileries where the royal family was staying. The mob massacred the royal guards and then imprisoned Louis, Marie Antoinette, and their children. This attack was important to the revolution because it showed how little support Louis had left, and how quickly he was losing all power. -
Declaration of the Republic and the Trial of Louis
The Legislative Assembly set aside the Consitution of 1791 and created a new legislature called the National Convention. It abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic. Now a normal citizen and prisoner, Louis was tried and found guilty for treason, and was beheaded on January 21, 1793. France's new legislature was important because it led France further into reform. Louis death was also extremely important; the original leader of the Old Reign was dead. -
Reign of Terror
A Jacobin leader named Robespierre became leader of the Committee of Public Safety. For the next year, he basically ruled a dictatorship; his period of rule became known as the Reign of Terror. Anyone he believed was an enemy was beheaded; it is estimated that 16,000 were executed. Robespierre's Reign of Terror ended when he was sent to the guillotine. The Reign of Terror was important because many of those who died were for whose benefit the Revolution had been launched. -
Directory and the Rise of Napoleon
After Robespierre's death, a new plan of government was created. This new government gave power to the upper middle class and called for a two house legislature. It also called for an execuive body of five men known as the Directory. These men were able to give France a period of order. They had also found the perfect man to command France's armies - Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon was an important part in the French Revolution - he was the one to lead France back to order and power after chaos.
