-
Estates General Meeting
For the first time in 175 years, the meeting of representatives from all 3 Estates convened. The 3rd Estate was represented by Robespierre who used Enlightenment ideas. The 3rd Estate, constituting 97% of the population, was under represented and easily outvoted. -
National Assembly Formed
The National Assembly was formed to represent the real population of France, the 3rd Estate, making up 97% of the population. As a group their goals included many Enlightenment ideas and radical reformation. -
Tennis Court Oath declared
After being locked out of the Estates General Meeting, the representatives of the 3rd Estate convene in a tennis court. There, they took an oath to not stop till the constitution was changed. -
Storming of the Bastille
The Bastille was a symbol of horror for the people and contained resources like gunpowder needed for the revolution. The attack and dismantling of the Bastille literally represented the dismantling of the government and crumbling of the King -
Declaration of the Rights of Man & Citizen Written
The Declaration was a manifesto of demands by the National Assembly. It insisted on equal rights, freedoms, and included other ideas of the Enlightenment thinkers. -
Period: to
Legislative Assembly makes laws in France
The Legislative Assembly replaced the National Assembly as the governing body of France. The Legislative Assembly was split into the Conservatives who sided with the old regime and was made up by the 1st and 2nd Estate; the Moderates who agreed with the revolution but didn't want to go too much further and was made up by the peasants and city workers; and the Radicals who wanted complete reformation was made up by the Bourgeois. -
Execution of King Louis XVI
King Louis XVI was caught fleeing the country and the citizens were deeply betrayed. Eventually the King is put on trial and convicted for treason of which the punishment is death. Many felt that the birth of the new republic hinged upon the death of the monarchy. -
Period: to
Committee of Public Safety governs France
The Committee of Public Safety was the 12 man council lead by Robespierre which governed France. The committee's unorthodox/violent methods were used because they believed it was all in the public's best interest. Picture -
Period: to
The Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror was the period in the French Revolution in which relentless violence was used to ensure it's success. Anyone suspected of going against the revolution, despite often minute acts like not being enthusiastic, were executed without trial. Many mass killings occurred and often whole communities were wiped out.
Picture -
Period: to
Dechristianization
Dechristianization was the movement against the Church becuase they were an enemy to the revolution and had too much power. In the movement, Churches were raided and destroyed, streets with "Saint" in them were renamed, and a new clandar system was instituted. picture -
Execution of Maximilien Robespierre
Robespierre was executed because shortly before his death he gave a speech which would incriminate many of his fellow leaders and they shut him down, he unsuccessfully committed suicide before they executed him. Also, Robespierre was the face of violence, the death penalty, and limiting individual's rights where he previously was greatly opposed; his changing values, harsh and dominating leadership caused him to fall out favor. -
Period: to
The Directory controls France
The Directory was the temporary government which comes into place after the revolution ends. It's goal was just to hold France together and not have any violence or terror like in the Reign of Terror. picture -
Napoleon takes over in a coup d'etat
Napoleon leads troops to suddenly seize power and the members who weren't driven out voted to dismantle the directory. In it's place 3 consuls lead France and Napoleon was the 1st consul and had the power of a dictator. -
Napoleon signs Concordat with Catholic Church
Napoleon creates this agreement with the Church establishing a relationship between church and state. The Church is acknowledged but isn't allowed to interfere in National affairs -
Napoleon creates the Napoleonic Code
The Napoleonic Code was a system of laws which established a uniform way of governing ergo eliminating some injustices. The Code restricted freedom of speech and press, restored slavery in the colonies, limited iberty, and promoted authority over individual rights. -
Napoleon crowns himself emperor of France
Napoleon decided that he wanted to be the emperor of France and let the French people "vote" for him. In his coronation, Napoleon put the crown on his own head whenusually yhr pope would, employing he was more powerful than the Church. -
Napoleon dies after he is banished to island of St. Helena
After many defeats and falling out of favor,Napoleon is exiled to the island of St. Helena. He dies in exile at the age of 52.
