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Estates General Called
Because of the financial crisis, King Louis XVI summoned the three estates called the clergy, nobility and the third estates (commoners) to pass a new proposal on taxes as the french government were having financial problems. -
Period: to
French Revolution
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National Assembly Formed
The third estate, being the only one who were paying taxes, revolted against the new tax policies and renamed themselves as the National Assembly. -
Tennis Court Oath
The third estate swore to an oath that they would never disband until a new french constitution had been created. The direct quote being; "not to separate and to reassemble wherever necessary until the Constitution of the kingdom is established" -
The Storming of Bastille
On July 14th, a mob approached the bastille in search for firearms and ammunition. They demanded the military leader, Governor de Launay, to surrender. When the military leader refused, the mob attacked. The soldiers protecting the Bastille fought back and after de Launay found fighting to be hopeless he offered to surrender. the mob, still being angry, captured de Launay and killed him. -
Constitutional Monarchy Formed
Formed by the national assembly. Set up as a limited monarchy instead of an absolute monarchy to define the limits of the power in the new government. This constitution only lasted one year. -
Mob Overthrows the Constitutional Monarchy
There was an increasing divide between the two groups called the Montagnards and the Girondins. When King Louis XVI refused to revoke the veto of the National Assembly’s constitution, the Montagnards wanted him immediately beheaded while the Girondins believed in trial and exile. -
King Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette Beheaded
King Louis XVI was charged with treason after failing to fix France's financial problems. King Louis XVI tried running away multiple times before eventually being condemned to death by guillotine. His wife, Marie Antoinette meeting the same fate 9 months later. -
Reign of Terror Begins
After the execution of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, the Reign of Terror begins. The revolutionary government had decided to take harsh precautions against those suspected of being against the revolution. About 300,000 people were arrested and about 23,000 were executed without trial. One of the key people to lead this motion was Maximilien Robespierre. Robespierre was believed to have lists of people who were against the revolution and threatened to release the list of names. -
Reign of Terror Ends
Because of Robespierre's actions, he made many enemies and was accused by his people as a dictator. On July 27th, Robespierre was guillotined with no trial. After his death, the Reign of Terror was over.
