French Revolution

  • Louis XVI summons the Estates General

  • Estates General convenes

  • Period: to

    French Revolution

  • The “Tennis Court Oath”

  • Louis dismisses Necker (a popular minister)

  • Storming of the Bastille

  • Abolition of feudal (noble and clerical) rights

  • Declaration of the Rights of Man

  • The Wives’ March; Louis “kidnapped” back to Paris

  • National Assembly abolishes the nobility

  • Civil Constitution of the French Clergy

  • Clergy instructed to swear allegiance to France

  • Pope Pius VI condemns the Civil Constitution of the Clergy

  • Louis & Marie Antoinette flee; captured at Varennes

  • Declaration of Pillnitz: Austria & Prussia express support for Louis

  • France declares war on Austria

  • First use of guillotine

  • Prussia declares war on France

  • Paris Commune established

  • Parisians storm Tuileries palace; end of Louis XVI’s power

  • French cannons drive back Prussians at Valmy

  • French Republic proclaimed

  • Louis XVI executed

  • France declares war on Britain and Netherlands

  • Committee of Public Safety founded

  • New Constitution proclaimed

  • Mass conscription instituted

  • Republican calendar adopted

  • Marie Antoinette executed

  • Robespierre guillotined