Frech Revolution Timeline

By elisabeth.collie

  • Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

    Louis XVI takes the throne at the age of 19. He well intentioned but a very weak leader who was often dominated by his wife, Marie Antoinette.

  • Loius XVI

    Louis XVI's government is about to go bankrupt. Poor harvests. The National Assembly is formed.

  • Storming of the Bastille

    The people of Paris storm the Bastille, a much hated prison that symbolized autocratic rule. The revolution had begun.

  • The National Assembly Adopts

    National Assembly adopted the Decleration of Rights of Man and of the Citizen. This document guranteed the rights of "liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppresion" to all people.

  • The Great Fear

    The Great Fear, peasants were fearful that the nobles were hiring outlaws to terrorize them. Peasants noted. Stormed versailles and demanded that Louis and Marie Antoinette come to Paris.

  • The Legislative Assembly

    National Assembly disbanded so the new Legislative Assembly can take over. This created a constitutional monarchy; strips power from the king and gave the Assembly the power to create French law.

  • The Revolution Leaders

    The Revolution leaders turned on each other and 3 fractions in the Legislative Assembly forms, Radicals, Moderates, and Conservatives.

  • Parisians invade the Royal Palace

    20,000 Parisians invade the Royal Palace, Louis, Marie Antoinette and their children imprisoned.

  • The National Convention

    The National Convention abolishes the monarchy and declares France a Republic. All adult male citizens are granted the right to vote and hold office. Women were not given the same rights.

  • Louis is King no more

    Louis is no longer king, the radical Jocobins tried Louis for treason and found him guilty. He is sentenced to death.

  • Louis XVI is dead

    Louis XVI is executed by the guillotine.

  • Countries fighting France

    Great Britian, Holland, and Spain join Russia and Austria and fighting France. The National Assembly drafts 300,000 French citzens into the army.

  • Maximilen Robespierre takes control

    Revolution leader Maximilen Robespierre sets out power into his own hands. He becomes the leader of the Comittee of Public Safety. He decides who should be considered an enemy of the Republc. The comittee had people tried and xecuted in the same day.

  • Austria and Prussia

    Austria and Prussia, who supported Louis XVI, sent troops to Paris.

  • The Reign of Terror

    Robespierre governed France nearly as a dictator, this period became known as the Reign of Terror. Approzimately 3,000 people were executed in Paris. As many as 40,000 were killed together.

  • Marie Antoinette is dead

    Marie Antoinetteis executed.The Revolutionary courts declare death sentences on those that challenge Robespierre.

  • Robespierre is claimed a Tyrant and executed

    The National Committee turns on Robespierre, claiming he is a Tyrant. He is then executed on July 28.

  • The New Constitution

    Moderate leaders in the National Convention draft a new Constitution. It creates a two house legislature and an executive body of five men, known as the Directory. Napoleon Bonaparte chosen to lead France's armies.