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Old Regime
People are divide into three different social castes, or estates. The third estate is made up by peasants. They are excessively taxed and angry with nobility. I think this event is important because it is good to know why people wanted change, before the change happens. -
Period: to
France
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France's Economy begins to decline
The French civilization's economy starts to decline. The high tax burdens weigh heavily on the peasants. France's production seems to become better, but it only hides the problem because the high taxes make it nearly impossible to run a business profitably. I think this is important because economy problems are what eventually lead to the revolution. -
France's Economy is destroyed
France's economy reaches a new level of inflation. Bread has doubled in price. Many people are now starving. I think this is important because it is the point where people were suffering and wanted a revolution. -
National Assembly
On June 17, 1789, it was voted that the National Assembly should be established. This would get rid of the Absolute Monarchy and establish a representative government. This was the beginning of the revolution. I think this is important because it was the first deliberate attempt for the revolution. -
Mounting Conflict.
The prison of Bastille is overtaken by armed citizens. Rumors of mercanary armies from the nobles spread. The commoners claimed the fort and weapons for defending themselves. I think that this event is important as it was the first violent event of the French revolution. -
Jacobins seize control
People of the faction called Jacobins take power in France. They threaten all loyalists to the king with death. The Jacobins tried the former king with treason, and executed him with a guillotine. This is important because it shows that a new faction is in power over France. -
The Great Fear
The French population is overtaken by fear of anarchy, and lawless outlaws roaming the land. The place is under civil unrest, and some citizens actually become outlaws themselves. The royal family flees from Versailles. This is important because it signifies the change of power in France. -
Reign of terror
In July 1793, Robespierre became leader of the Committee of Public Safety. Robespierre ruled through fear, and was essentially a dictator. He tried to remove France's past, and closed all churches. This is important because France removed a leader and the leader was replaced by a dictator. -
Thousands of deaths at the hands of a dictator
Over the next year, Robespierre has many innocent people executed. He has former revolutionaries murdered. In general, everyone he considered to be a threat to his power is killed. This is important because France replaced a mostly peaceful monarch with a murderer. -
France Stabilizes
The dictator is sentenced to death. A new leader can take his place, after he meets his demise at the guillotine. The reign of terror officially ends. This is important because the bad period of the French revolution ends. Less innocent people are killed, and France can move on.
