French Revolution

By Katebvhs

  • Storming of the Bastille. A mob stormed this prison building in search of weapons and gunpowder.

    A mob stormed the Bastille, which was a Parisian prison, in search of gunpowder and weapons. The mob killed many guards and the prison commander as they seized control of the prison. They then paraded in the streets of Paris with the heads of the dead guards on pikes.

  • Women's March on the Versailles. The rising bread prices caused many to go hungry, so women marched on the Versailles for bread.

    The price of bread was increased, which left many families hungry. So, a mob of women marched to the home of Marie Antionette and Louis XVI to demand bread. Louis disregarded them, only heightening their hatred for him and the way he ruled France.

  • Flight to Varennes. The King and Queen tried to escape impending doom by moving to Austria, only to be caught on their journey.

    King Louis XVI and Marie Antionette, fearful of an impending revolution and the new governments taking their power away, attempt an escape to Austria. However, they are caught and brought back to France.

  • Dissolution of the National Assembly. The National Assembly Dissolved, a new constitution was finished, and a Legislative Assembly was formed as the new governing body.

    The new constitution was finally finished, and declared the government of France a constitutional democracy. The Naitonal Assembly dissolved and the Legistlative Assembly replaced it, made of many new people with a variety of political views.

  • France Declares War on Austria. The Legislative Assembly was forced, by many people who wanted war, to declare war on Austria.

    As tensions in Europe grew and war creeped closer to home, the Legislstive Assembly debated the topic. The "absolute rulers" in Europe wanted war because they believed it would demolish the new governments. The revolutionaries wanted war because they believed it would strengthen and unify their country. So, France declared war on Austria.

  • Attack on the Tuileries Palace. France was dealing with many problems, such as the revolutionaries hatred of the King and Queen, so the King and Queen were arrested to prevent further conflict.

    France was dealing with many problems, such as accusations of King Louis XVI being a traitor and the invasion of their territory by Austria and Prussia. The radical population in the Legistlative Assembly grew. As a result, 20,000 people attacked the Tuileries Palace. The King and Queen were arrested to prevent further conflict and hundreds of suspected royaliste were killed in the "September Massacre".

  • Declaration of the Republic. The Legistlative Assembly disassembled, and the National Convention was formed and declared France a republic.

    The Legislative Assembly disassembled and a new body called the National Convention was formed. Their first act was to declare France a republic.

  • The Trial of Louis. Louis XVI, King of France, was tried in court and executed by guillotine. Marie Antionette, the Queen, was beheaded later that year.

    The Austrian and Prussian invasion of France was stopped by the French military. Louis XVI was charged with treason and proven guilty. He was executed by guillotine and Marie Antoinette was beheaded on October 16th.

  • Reign of Terror. Maximilien Robespierre wanted to rid France of all enemies, but was executed after he killed many famous revolutionaries.

    A member of the National Convention named Maximilien Robespierre declared himself the leader of the "Reign of Terror". He wanted to rid France of all enemies of the revolution and keep "virtue" in his nation. Between September 1793 and July 1794, around 16,000 people were guillotined. After this tragedy, Robespierre fell out of favor with the National Convention and the Commitee of Public Safety. He was arrested after killing many famous revolutionaries and guillotined.

  • The Rise of Napoleon. After Robespierre was killed, France was distraught because it had no leader. A military leader named Napoleon rose to power and formed a Consulate.

    The National Convention created a new constitution after the horrific rule of Robespierre, which named the new government Directory. But, the Directory was doomed from the start and dissolved quickly. Then, a strong military leader named Napoleon Bonaparte created a new form of government called a Cnsukate in which he was the head Consul. He began his rule sometime in early November 1799