Timeline: French Revolution

Aug 8, 1788

Estates General

The King was in trouble. The nobility was not happy with his attempt to tax their estate. Nobility wanted to pass the cost once again on the Third Estate.

May 5, 1789

Estates General meets in Paris

King Louis XVI calls body into session to approve a new tax on the 3rd Estate. Had not met in 175 years.

Jun 17, 1789

3rd Estate disagrees with one-vote-per-state rule

The 3rd Estate wanted to change the voting process, because they were repeatedly being outvoted.

Jun 20, 1789

Tennis Court Oath

A meeting made up of the third estate, that assured that they were locked out of the Estates General mettings.

Jul 14, 1789

Storming of the Bastille

When the people of the 3rd Estate charged the Batille prison in search of weapons.

Jul 17, 1789

Great Fear begins

The 3rd Estate thought that the King would punish them for what they did to the Bastille and because of rumors that spread.

Aug 4, 1789

National Assembly abolishes Feudalism with August Decrees

The National Assemmbly had eliminated all the feudal dues and services that preasnts owed the landowners. It also eliminated the first Estates legal privileges

Aug 26, 1789

Declaration of the Rights of Man

Gave the people of the 3rd Estate more rights that they are obligated to.

Oct 5, 1789

Women of Paris March to Versailles for Bread

Rights of man didnt apply to women, so they protested.

Jun 20, 1791

Royal Family's Flight from Varennes

Inspired revolutionary leaders to take bolder steps. King was losing power so he tried to flee.

Sep 3, 1791

New Constitution adopted

Gave citizens more voting rights, and drew up a whole new system of government. Restricted power for the King and Queen.

Oct 1, 1791

Beginning of Legislative Assembly

It provided focus of poltical debate and revolutionary law-makingbetween the periods of the national consituent ssembly and of the national convention.

Jul 25, 1792

Brunswick Manifesto warns that Royal Family must not be harmed or else...

Threats intended for the people to ensure the Royal Family's safety from rebellious attacks.

Aug 10, 1792

Storming of the Tuileries Palace

King, Queen, and their children thrown in jail, their trials begin.

Sep 22, 1792

French Monarchy officially abolished

Revolutionary government votes to abolish the monarchy and establish the first Republic. Royal Family imprisoned.

Nov 6, 1792

French defeat foreign invaders (Austria and Prussia) who are attempting to preserve the monarchy

France turns the tide of the war and takes the offensive against the invaders.

Jan 21, 1793

Execution of King Louis XVI in Paris

King convicted of high treason. He was executed by guillotine.

Apr 6, 1793

Committee of the Public Safety Established

Committee took on its role of protecting the newly established republic against foreign attacks and internal rebellion.

Sep 17, 1793

Law of Suspects passes- Beginning of Reign of Terror in France

Marked a significant weakening of individual freedoms that led to revolutionary paranoia.

Jul 27, 1794

End of Reign of Terror-Execution of Robespierre

Tp stop the executions, the people decided to execute Robespierre. Robespierre was accused of tyranny and was executed

Oct 26, 1795

National Convention is dissolved and the creation of the Directorate

The national convention dissolves itself. Run by a legislative branch of five directors, who were weak and caused France's problems to continue.

Nov 9, 1799

Napoleon named First Consul

Napoleon was forced into power. Armed supporters of hime turned the government over to him. He promised peace and stabilty, which is what the people wnated.