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Start of French Revolution
There is no precise date on which the French Revolution began. In reality it had been coming for several years due to the fact that the king and, therefore, the country was bankrupt and unable to pay their debts. This led to much suffering, poverty and even starvation for many 'ordinary' French citizens. This in turn resulted in a number of uprisings and riots in April of 1789. -
Calling of Estates General
In an attempt to resolve the debt problem and the growing tensions amongst his people, Louis XVI called a meeting of the Estates General. This was the first time since 1614 that a French monarch had convened the Estates General. The meeting was called to discuss and approve a new tax plan. -
Proclamation of National Assembly
The meeting of the Estates General in May had been a failure and no new tax plan had been agreed. After some liberals and clergy joined the Third Estate, members of the Third Estate proclaimed themselves to be the National Assembly. Effectively they were claiming the authority to rule the country in place of the king. When they were prevented from convening they met in a tennis court and made the "Tennis Court Oath" where they swore not to separate until a constitutional regime was established. -
Constituent National Assembly
As they swore in the 'Tennis Court Oath', The Natiional Assembly appointed a committee to draft a constitution. The National Assembly also proclaimed itself the constituent national assembly with full authority and power to decree laws -
Storming of Bastille
Following the dismissal by the King of his finance minister Jacques Neckker (who had been sympathetic to the Third Estate), the people of Paris feared the King and the aristocracy would try and disband the National Assembly. In reaction, the people of Paris rose up in revolution and stormed the Bastille castle, taking control of the garrison and freeing prisoners. The storming of the Bastille is the symbolic moment of the French revolution that France commemorates every year. -
Revolution in the Streets
The people of Paris rise up against the King and army. They barricade the streets and rioters force the King to move from Versailles to Paris -
Loius XVI Arrested
Louis XVI together with his family attempt to flee France and escape to Austria. They almost make it but are caught, arrested and returned to Paris. -
Constitution Adopted
The Constitution of 1791 was adopted. It was the first constitution in French history. It provided for an elected government called the National Convention and was drafted on the priniciples of -
National Convention
The first meeting of the National Convention was held. -
Louis Sentenced
Louis XVI was found guilty and sentenced to death by guillotine. In a time of absolute monarchs and ruling royal families which claimed divine right through the will of god, such an event was a major event in history. -
Period: to
Reign of Terror
A year long period known as the 'reign of terror' ensues which results in up to 40,000 people being sentenced to death by guillotine. Many liberals who supported or even led the revolution themselves became victims of the reign of terror. -
End of French Revolution
The fall of the Directory in November 1799 is usually quoted as the date on which the revolution ended. -
The Truth About the French Revolution
In reality the French revolution spanned 59 years and began and ended with England. The French monarch's obsession with defeating England led to huge expenditure on the army and navy and the support of the colonists in the American war of independence, all of which bankrupted the country and caused the revolution. This began in 1756 in the Seven Years War and continued through the revolution until Wellington defeated Bonaparte at Waterloo in 1815.
