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Louis XVI calls a meeting of the Estates General
The Estates General of 1789 was a general assembly representing the French estates: the clergy (First Estate), the nobility (Second Estate), and the commoners (Third Estate). The representatives brought their "cahiers de doleances" to share with the king in hope of encouraging political change. -
Creation of the National Assembly
After the meeting of the Estates-General failed, several representatives from all three estates, mainly the Third Estate, proclaimed themselves to be the National Assembly. -
The Tennis Court Oath
The National Assembly was locked out of their regular meeting room and they assembled at a nearby tennis court. They made an oath not to disband until a constitution was established in France, which became known as the Tennis Court Oath. -
The Storming of the Bastille
After the king refused to recognise the legitimacy of the National Assembly and assembled royal troops near Paris, crowds decided to storm the royal prison, the Bastille, to release Third Estate prisoners and collect weapons to use against a rumoured attack by the king. -
The creation of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was passed by the National Assembly in 1789 and described human and civil rights as well as democratic principle. -
Women's march on Versailles
In October 1789, thousands of people marched to Versailles to protest the high price of bread, discovered the royal family's plans to flee France and forced them to return to Paris so they could not escape. -
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The Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror was a violent period during the French Revolution, led by Robespierre. Thousands, including King Louis XVI, were executed by guillotine to suppress perceived enemies of the revolution. -
Execution of Louis XVI
After being tried by the National Convention, Louis XVI was found guilty of treason. He was sentenced to death and publicly guillotined in Paris. -
Execution of Marie Antoinette
After being convicted of treason and other charges by the Revolutionary Tribunal, Marie Antoinette was sentenced to death. She was publicly guillotined in Paris, following her husband's execution earlier that year. -
Napoleon Bonaparte leads a coup and becomes Leader of France
In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte led a coup d'état, overthrowing the French Directory. He seized power and established the Consulate, with himself as First Consul.