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Nobles Force King to Call a Meeting
The king made a mistake; nobles were upset about the king's attempt to tax their estate. Nobles forced the kin to call the Estates General to a meeting to pass taxes against the Third Estate again. -
Estate-General Meets in Paris
King Louis XVI calls the Estates General into session to approve a new tax on the Third Estate. Had not met in 175 years. -
3rd Estate Against King's Rule
The 3rd Estate refuses to obey the king's rule. They considered themselves a new legislature called the National Assembly. They met in an indoor tennis court to impose new laws when King Louis XVI prohibited their place in the meeting. Louis XVI reluctantly allowed each representative of the 3rd Estate to have a vote. -
Tennis Court Oath
The 3rd Estate's new legislature, the National Assembly, vowed to not leave their meeting place, an indoor tennis court, until they made a new constitution for France. The 3rd Estate took charge and pushed for a voice in the Estates-General meeting. -
Storming of the Bastille
An angry mob of Parisians attacked an old prison, the Bastille, in hope for a large supply of weapons. The crowd believed that King Louis XVI would use his troops to end the Revolutionary. In return, Parisians wanted to arm themselves against the king's actions. The storming of the Bastille led to many soldiers, as well as Parisians, killed. This event was a powerful symbol of the French Revolution. -
Great Fear Begins
After the storming of the Bastille, the Third Estate was filled with paranoia, fearing that the king would punish the Third Estate for their barbaric actions against the government. Peasants were afraid that the king would call for a coutnerrevolution and wild rumors spread like wildfire. Believing that the king would send his soldiers to the countryside, people armed themselves and peasants even took revenge, destroying records of dues and burnings homes. -
National Assembly abolishes Feudalism with August Decrees
When the Third Estate formed the National Assembly, they considered themselves an official part of the government even without the consent of the king. They invited the other estates to take part in the National Assembly but the Thrid Estate would proceed to make and abolish laws even if the other estates decided not to take part in the Assembly. On August 4, 1789, the National Assembly decided to get rid of Feudalism completely, This eventually led to the monarchy collapsing. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
Made by the National Assembly, the Declaration of the Rights of Man was adopted. The Declaration states the basic rights during the Revolution which were freedom, equality, and brotherhood. The Declaration also included that all men were equal and that everyone had the freedom of speech, religion and press. These rights were based on America's Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence and the written works of Enlightment thinkers. -
Women of Paris March to Versailled for bread
During the French Revolution, the cost of bread increased greatly and already struggling to make money, it was impossible to buy bread at such a great cost. In the pouring rain, approximately 7,000 women marched into Versailles, where the king lived lavishly. They broke into the palace and demanded bread because they could no longer afford it. This event encouraged leaders of the Revolution to be more stronger and bolder for the future events to come. -
Royal Family's Flight from Varennes
Feeling unsafe, King Louis XVI and his family put on disguises to escape from France. Due to many faults in their mission to flee, the Royal family was eventually recognized and arrested in Varennes. The Royal family's flight from Paris showed that the king was no longer in power and that he lost all of his authority. King Louis XVI's escape from Paris showed France that he was not capable of leading his country. -
New Constitution Adopted
On September 3, 1791, the National Assembly completed a new constitution. In the constitution, a new legislature was made, called the Legislative Assembly. Males that paid taxes and that were 25 years of age or older were allowed to vote. This new constitution also restricted the king's power. -
Beginning of Legislative Assembly
When the new constitution was adopted, a new legislative body was made called the Legislative Assembly. This Assembly had the power to increase taxes as well as declare war. Creating the Legislative Assembly meant that the king's authority was lowered. -
Brunswick Manifesto warns that Royal Family must not be harmed or else...
The Brunswick Manifesto was a proclamation stating that the Royal family must not be harmed in any way. If the Royal family were to be humiliated or harmed, allies of France who disapproved of the revolution would hurt French civilians. Instead of trying to intimidate French citizens, the Brunswick Manifesto created anger among the citizens against the allies. -
Storming of the Tuileries Palace
An angry crowd invades the Royal family's house because allied troops were coming towards Paris. Guards were killed at the palace and the family was no longer royal and important; they became mere commoners. The Royal family was thrown in prison and the monarchy ended. France was now a republic country powerless, the Legislative Assembly dissembled and the National Convention was formed. -
French Monarchy is officially abolished
Revolutionary Gov't votes to abolish the monarchy and establish the first Republic. Royal family imprisoned. -
French defeat foreign invaders who are trying to preserve the monarchy
France turns the tide of the war and takes the offensive against the invaders. -
The execution of King Louis XVI in Paris
King Louis XVI was put on trial after the monarchy ended. The court decided to execute the king to prevent a future monarchy and to protect the revolution. Although the king tried to declare his innocence, the court declared his actions as savagery. -
Committee of Public Safety Established
The Committee of Public Safety was created by the National Convention to manage the military against foreign countries. The committee's purpose was to tighten control in France. -
Law of Suspects passes - Beginning of the Reign of Terror in France
The Law of Suspects states that anyone suspected of a counterrevolution is to be punished either through exile, arrest, or even execution. The accusations and trials led to fear and paranoia in France. -
End of Reign of Terror - Execution of Robespierre
Maximilien Robespierre was very dedicated to the French Revolution and was the creator of the Reign of Terror. Robespierre executed those who were against his ideas and even sent some of his supporters to the guillotine. Fearing his ultimate power, the French executed Robespierre. -
National Convention is dissolved and the creation of the Directorate
The Directory, a governing board, was made up of five male directors. Although the Directory tried to help farmers and trade by passing financial reforms, the directors themselves were corrupt. There was no progress in government and the French government failed again. There was no one in control. -
Napoleon named First Consul
Although France was a republic, Napoleon became a dictator. Seeing that France had an unstable government, Napoleon saw the opportunity to rise to power. Promising protection and prosperity, he believed that citizens should give up some liberties (called the social contract). Napoleon still kept the reforms that were made to benefit France. -
Coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emporer of France
Asking the people of France if they allowed France to become an empire, Napoleon's supporters agreed. A pope from Italy came to France to crown Napoleon as emperor but Napoleon grabbed the crown and placed it on his own head, showing that he seized authority when he wanted to. France was completely in Napoleon's control. Gaining land for France gave the French hope for prosperity and glory.
