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King Louis XVI appointed the first Estate meeting since the year 1614. During this meeting, the Third Estate accused Louis of having poor leadership.
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A period of radical social and political upheaval in French and European history that saw a series of major changes in power and political system as well as Revolutionary Wars.
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On this day, a mob of craftsmen and salesmen raided the Bastille (a medieval French prison that symbolized the king's absolute and arbitrary power) for weapons. This became a powerful symbol of the French Revolution.
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After accusing King Louis, the Third Estate was kicked out of the meeting. Soon, the Third Estate met in a tennis court and refused to leave until France had a legit constitution. This was called the Tennis Court Oath. Also, they declared theirselves the National Assembly.
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The members of the National Assembly created a document of which adopted an idea of equality and freedom similar to the Bill of Rights in the United States.
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A meeting of radical representatives convened on September 20. During this time, France was no longer a constitional monarchy, but a new republic. This is where the revolution took a turn.
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On January 20, a day before the execution, King Louis was placed on trial for violating the liberty of France. He was sentenced to die the following day where he would be decapitated by a guillotine in public.
Europe saw this event as savagery -
The new leaders of France grew radical; they decided to take drastic measures to prevent a counter-revolution due to the fact that people were concerned about the new government. The leaders began a series of accusations, trials and executions, which is how the time period became know as the reign of terror.
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Coup: A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government. Coup d'etat against the Directory establishes Napoleon as First Consul for ten years. The nation who overthrew the king welcomes it's new dictator because he promised to make key reforms in the country.
