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Charles de Calonne appointed as controller general of finance
France is in financial trouble after poor harvest seasons and their involvement in the Seven Years' War and American Revolution. Louis XVI appoints Charles de Calonne to combat the financial situation. He is very found of the idea of raising taxes. -
King Louis XVI calls the Estates General
The Estates General had not met since 1614. It was called because the Assembly of Nobles had failed to fix France's financial crisis. -
The Tennis Court Oath
The National Assembly (Third Estate) is ordered to convene by the King. After removing to the Tennis Courts of Versailles they swear not to disband until France has an approved constitution. -
First and Second Estates join the Third Estate in the newly formed National Assembly
The third estate has declared itself the National Assembly and has proceeded to invite the other two estates to join it. -
Period: to
The Great Fear in the countryside
Peasants feared the revenge of the nobles so they started attacking manners in the countryside. -
The storming of the Bastille
Parisian revolutionaries stormed the Batille which was a royal fortress and a symbol of Bourbon tyrancy. The Parisian middleclass was prompted into action after witnessing a gathering of anti-revolutionary troops. Armed with rifles they demanded that the Bastille give them all their gunpowder. Instead they recieved armed fire from the Swiss troops inside and 100 people were killed. -
The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
This declaration was inspired by the American Declaration of Independence of 1776 and is an important document in basis of human rights. -
The Women’s March on Versailles
This is one of the most important events of the start of the revolution. The revolt started in the market place over the high price of grain. They quickly made allies with other revolutionaries given the state of the political world. In huge mob form, the women and their allies marched upon Versailles and made their demands. -
The Constitution of 1791 sets up a constitutional monarchy in France
In this constitution, the monarchy is maintained but the real power rests in the Leslative Assembly. The Legislative Assembly was set up on indirect voting. The monarchy is rendered constitutional. -
The Legislative Assembly declares war on Austria
Austria and Prussia had decided they wanted to halt the French Revolution. After the Lefislative Assembly declares war on Austria they allie with Prussia. -
Louis XVI is executed at the guillotine
French National Convention sentenced Louis XVI to death one day after being convicted of conspiracy with foreign powers. Part of the hostility directed towards Louis started when he married Marie Antionette who was a foreigner. Louis was accused of foreign conspiracy with foreign powers. -
Start of Reign of Terror
Led by Maximilien Robespierre, the Reign of Terror was a violent period of the French Revolution where the Revolutionary government executed any one "against the revolution." -
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Reign of Terror
Led by Maximilien Robespierre, the Reign of Terror was a violent period of the French Revolution where the Revolutionary government executed any one "against the revolution." -
A Directory is formed
The Constitution of the Year III is approved and all administrative power is placed in the Directory. The Directory consists of five members, elected by the two councils for five years.
