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Period: to
Bad Harvest
Who? - All of France, but hit the 3rd Estate and the peasants the hardest
Where? - In France
What? - That year and some years before, the harvest was very poor. Additionally, a powerful hailstorm hit France and completely destroyed the harvest. This lead to extreme food shortages, which further led to bread prices rising and famine
Effect? - This event was a very important cause to the begining of the Revolution -
Louis XVI calls the Estates General
Who? - Delegates of all of the Estates
Where? - at the Estates General
What? - All of the classes urged Louis to call the Estates General (the first one after 175 years). During the convention, the 3rd Estate declared a stalemate becuase the voting was unfair. They were always outvoted 2 to 1 and wanted to make a fairer voting system.
Effect? - This was the first the first time all of the Estates met together and had an overall meeting as one country. -
The 3rd Estate declare themselves the National Assembly
Who? - The 3rd Estate
What? - Afer the 1st and 2nd Estates decided that the vote would be by estate instead of by head count, the 3rd Estate left the Estates General and started to meet separately. They called themselves the National Assmebly and declared that they represented the people of France. They invited the other Estates to join to establish a new constitution.
Effect? - It was the start of an official revolutionary movement. The 3rd Estate started to oppose the king. -
The Tennis Court Oath
Who? - the Natinoal Assembly
Where? - Indoor tennis court
What? - On the day that the National Assembly planned to meet, they found that their usual meeting spot was closed by the King's guards. The delegates went to an indoor tennis court and took the famous Tennis Court Oath that stated that they would never seperate and would meet wherever circumstances required until they had established a new constitution.
Effect/ significance - it was the first time the citizens opposed the King -
Storming of the Bastille
Who? - over 800 Parisians and the guards of Bastille
Where? - the medieval fortress that was used as a prison called the Bastille in Paris
What? - After hearing rumors that the King wanted to occupy France, a crowd of Parisians met outside of the Bastille, demanding weapons. After the guards refused to let them through, the crowd stormed the fortress. Hundreds died.
Effect - The event became the symbol of the revolution. There is even a national holiday called Bastille Day on July 14. -
The Declaration of the Righs of Man
Who? - The National Assembly
What? - The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was made by the National Assmbly and was heavily influenced by the US Constitution. It stated that all men were born and remain free and equal in right. It also stated that the government existed to protect natural rights of citizens.
Effect? - It was the end of all special priveleges and in essence destroyed the old class system -
Women's March on Versaille
Who? - hundreds of peasant women
Where? - Palace of Versaille in Varsaille outside of Paris
What? - The Queen Marie Antoinette was very extravagant, which made her a scandolous figure among the commoners. A large crowd of women stormed the Versaille demanding bread. They refused to leave until the royal family returned to Paris. In the end, the King agreed and his family was taken to Prais where they became virtual prisoners.
Effect? - The monarchy lost most of their power. -
Civil Constitution of the Clergy
Who? - the National Assembly
What? - the National Assembly put the French Catholic Church under state control and officially ended papal authority. The Pope condemned the Constitution and it brought a lot of controversy.
Effect? - This Constitution marks the begining of France becoming a secular state. Furthermore, it embodies within itslef Enlightenment Ideas and encourages more Enlightenment thinkers. -
Declaration of Pilnitz
Who? - King of Prussia and Emporor of Austria (who was also Marie Antoinette's brother)
What? - The declaration was issued threatening the intervene in the French Revolution to protect the French Monarchy. As a result, the Legislative Assembly declared war on both those countries and other monarchical European countries.
Effect? - The government was not only facing problems at home, but they were also going to war abroad. At this point, the French Revolution starts to have an impact on Europe. -
Period: to
Death of the King and Queen
Who? - King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
Where? - Paris
What? - Louis went on trial as a traitor and was convicted by one vote. The next day, he was publicly guillotined. 9 months later, Marie Antoinette was convicted and guillotined. Their only son died of unknown causes in prison. Both the King and Queen wesnt to their death with dignity
Effect? - It was the end of the royal bloodline. -
Period: to
Reign of Terror
Who? - The Committee of Public Safety
What? - It was the time where thousands were murdered and when the French people were governed by fear. The courts conducted hasty trails and hundreds were sent to the Guillotine. The person who was at the head was Robespierre.
Effect? - This was a very important period of the French Revolution. It was also one of the bloodiest time periods not only in the history of France, but also the world. -
Constitution of 1795
Who? - The Moderates
What? - The Constitution was the third made overall. It put in power the Directory that was elected by male citizens of property.
Effect? - The Constitution marked the third stage of the Revolution. At this time, royalist feelings came back and corrupt government officials exacerbated the situation. In dealing with these problems, the Directory turned to Napoleon Bonaparte for help. They miscalculated Napoleon's power and the general took over as the Ruler of France
