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A meeting of the Estates-General
A meeting of the Estates-General was called by Louis XVI in Versailles to discuss and approve a new tax plan. -
Period: to
French Revolution
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The National Assembly
Three Poitevin curés decide to join the Third Estate, leaving the Chambers of the Clergy. Accepting the proposition of the delegate Abbé Sieyès, the Third Estate proclaims itself “The National Assembly.” A few liberal nobles and many clergy join the movement of the Third Estate. -
Tennis Court Oath
Tennis Court Oath: After being locked out of their meeting room, deputies of the Third Estate assembled on a tennis court and swore not to separate until a constitutional regime was established. -
The Constituent National Assembly
The National Assembly appoints a committee of thirty members to draft a constitution. The National Assembly proclaims itself the Constituent National Assembly, with full authority and power to decree laws; their primary task is to draw up and adopt a constitution. Necker is dismissed. Demonstrations and speeches take place at the Palais–Royal. The electors of Paris form a standing committee and a citizens’ militia. -
Bastille
The storming and fall of the Bastille. -
End of Feudalism in France
The end of feudalism and serfdom in France was announced by the National Assembly. -
Rights of Man
The Declaration of the Rights of Man was issued by The National Assembly. -
Versailles
The women of Paris invaded Versailles. Parisians, led by a large number of women, march upon Versailles and force the royal family back to Paris, where they take up residence at the Tuileries. Louis XVI is considered by many a “Prisoner” in Paris. The Assembly, still in Versailles, declares, in the spirit of constitutional monarchy, its inseparability from the king. -
Louis XVI Arrest
Louis XVI and his family were arrested while trying to flee from France. -
Austria
France declared war on Austria. -
First National Convention
The First meeting of the National Convention was held. -
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National Convention
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Period: to
Louis XVI Trial-Death
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National Draft
A National Draft was issued calling for all able-bodied men to enlist in the army. -
Period: to
Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror court sentenced 20,000 to 40,000 -
Robespirre Arrest
The National Convention arrested Robespierre. -
Robespierre Death
Robespierre was beheaded. -
Jacobin Club
Jacobin Club is suppressed by the Convention. -
The Churches
The Churches re-open for Christian worship. -
Period: to
White Terror
White Terror instituted in the South. -
The Dauphin
The Dauphin dies in prison, Comte de Provence assumes title of Louis XVIII. -
Directory
Constitution of Year III approved, establishing Directory. -
The Popular Party
Royalists attempt a coup and Napoleon Bonaparte makes his name suppressing the move with grapeshot. The popular party gains strength, Gracchus Babeuf is its spokesperson, holding running meetings at the Pantheon. -
The Convention
The Convention dissolves itself in favour of a dictatorship of the Directorate. -
Napoleon
Napoleon assumes command of French army in Italy. -
Panetheon
Directorate bans popular meetings at the Panetheon. -
Conspiracy of Equals
Leaders of Babeuf’s “Conspiracy of Equals” arrested. -
Babeuf Attack
100s of supporters of Babeuf attack palace of the Directorate but are routed. -
Period: to
Royalist Majority
Elections produce a Royalist majority. Elections in 1798 and 1799 produce a more radical result and are annulled by the Directorate. -
Babeuf and his Supporters
Babeuf and his supporters are convicted but take their own lives. -
Directorate
Directorate resigns. -
Napoleon Bonaparte
(18th Brumaire) Napoleon Bonaparte named “First Consul,” now the effective dictator. -
Emperor
Napoleon consecrated as Emperor.
