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At the time, France was divided into three groups/estates, the third being the poorest. Economic troubles and ideas from the Enlightenment drove this estate to fight for change. On June 17, 1789, the delegates of the Third Estate voted to establish the National Assembly, and pass laws in the name of the French citizens. This was an important event as it was the first step to having representation in the government, as well as the first deliberate act of revolution. -
Rumors started to spread as citizens believed that Louis XVI was going to use military force to suppress the National Assembly. Some believed that foreign troops would come to Paris to kill off French citizens. This caused panic and resulted in people gathering weapons to defend the city against attack. On the 14th of July, a mob looking for gunpowder broke into Bastille and took control of the building. This was an important event as it is now a French national holiday, representing revolution. -
The event of the infiltration of Bastille led to a period of rumors and panic known as the Great Fear. Peasants feared that outlaws hired by the nobles would terrorize them. This resulted in them breaking into nobles' houses to destroy old legal papers, or simply burning down their houses. The Great Fear led to further riots and violence. This event is important as it shows how the rumors that began to spread slowly started building up into violence, pushing French Revolution further. -
After the National Assembly made the Church state-controlled, and many changes to France were made, Louis questioned his fate as a ruler. His advisers warned him that he and his family were unsafe, convincing him to leave. However, while fleeing to Austria, Louis and his family were caught and returned to Paris heavily guarded. -
Even with a new government, old problems (like food shortages and debt) were not solved. This caused the Legislative Assembly to split into three different groups: Radicals, Moderates, and Conservatives. This was important as it further pushed more changes in France, which only escalated things. -
Leaders and nobles of other European countries watched France's drastic changes and became increasingly concerned. They were afraid that similar riots would take place in their country. Austria and Prussia tried to convince France to make Louis XVI an absolute monarch again, only to cause France to declare war in April, 1792. -
A Jacobin leader, Maximilien Robespierre, ruled France as a dictator, making his rule known as the Reign of Terror. 40,000 were executed during the Terror. This event is important as it was the most violent period of the French Revolution. -
Since the day he was captured, Louis XVI's role was decreased to a mere prisoner. Radical Jacobins tried Louis for treason. When they found him guilty, they sentenced him to death by the guillotine on January 21, 1793. This event was important as it was yet another act of rebellion against an absolute monarch. -
Some members of the National Convention turned against Robespierre, fearing for their own safety. When they demanded his execution, he was sent to the guillotine on July 28, 1794. This was an important event as it marked the end of the Reign of Terror. This resulted in a new government being made, and a time of peace. -
Napoleon helped France win several battles and eventually end France's war. Napoleon seized power and became France's new ruler, aiming to restore France. This point in the French Revolution is important as it marks the end of a long period of conflict.