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Period: to
French Revolution
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Louis Calls Estate-General
King Louis calls for the meeting of the Estate-General at the beginning of the French Revolution because of the financial crisis in France. The First and Second Estate always had the advantage because each estate only had one vote. So the third estate thought each delegate should be able to vote so they would have the advantage. Also, this was the time when the national assembly was created. -
Tennis Court Oath
King Louis made the decision to call the Esates-General together. The third Estate did not like having the disadvantage of only having one vote so they pushed to have each delegate vote. Louis later locked them out of the meeting and the Third Estate took over a nearby tennis court. The third Estate then made themselves the national assembly and took an oath that they would not leave until a new constitution was made. -
Storming of the Bastille
The Bastille prison was attacked by an angry mob. At the time the prison only held about seven prisoners, but they wanted the gunpowder and ammunition that was kept inside. The mob killed every prison guard. -
Declaration of Rights of Man
The Declaration of Rights of Man was created by the National Assembly and reflected all of the freedoms and rights they thought the French people should have. In summary it stated that all men were born free, they were entitled to religious freedoms and no one should accused or considered guilty until it is proven. -
March To Versailles
A large group of women met in the central marketplace of Paris and then marched to versailles to force the high prices of bread to be lowered. The women stormed the gates of the palace armed with pitchforks and swords. The king was then forced to move his family to Paris. -
Louis's Trial
Rumors had spread about Louis and his family being traitors to France by speaking to foreign armies. Louis was stripped of his title and was put on trial. The trial was six weeks long and it ended with Louis being declared guilty and his punishment was left for the people to decide. The people voted and King Louis was executed using the guillotine. -
The Terror
The Terror was a time in the French revolution when violent acts were made against anyone who was suspected to be against the revolution. The Committee of Public Safety was created to seek out anyone suspected of being an enemy of the revolution. About 1,400 people were executed during the reign of terror. -
Robespierre
Robespierre became an influentional public speaker in the assembly during the revolution. He was elected deputy of the third estate. He thought the rights of man should be extended to everyone, even the slaves. The sans-culottes invaded the convention and overthrew the the Girondins and Robespierre was given power.
