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Estates General is Called
The Third Estate, fearing that they would be overruled by the two privileged orders in any attempt at reform, formed the revolutionary National Assembly -
Tennis Court Oath
The third estate met and refused to adjourn until France is given a new constitution. They were joined by liberal aristocrats and clergy members. -
Bastille Day
The people of France stormed the Bastille after being denied the weaponry stored there. This event came to mark the beginning of the revolition. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
One of the basic charters of human liberties, this document was drawn up by France's National Adssemble and served as the preamble to the Constitution of 1791. -
Civil Constirtution of the Clergy
An attmpt to create a new administrative and financial framework for the French Church after the Revolutionary governing body had abolished the collection of tithes and had confiscated church lands. It served to were to reduce the number of bishops, have each diocese correspond to a sic territorial administrative unit established by the Assembly, have certain citizens elect bishops and parish priests, and have the state pay the clergy's wages -
Trial and Death of Louis XVI
On January 19, Louis XVI was condemned to death by 380 votes to 310. He was guillotined in the Place de la Revolution in Paris on Jan. 21, 1793. -
Reign of Terror
A period where the Revolutionary government decided to take harsh measures against those suspected of being enemies of the Revolution. -
9th of Thermidor
Robespierre is attacked as a tyrant by the members of the Convention and is excecuted the next day.
