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French Revolution
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Meeting of the Estates General
As a result of the financial crisis in France and peer pressure, King Louis XVI called the representatives of the 3 estates to meet at the Versailles to discuss solutions to the issues. The representatives brought a list of issues they had, in hopes of sparking political change. Not much was agreed upon. -
Creation of the National Assembly and the Tennis Court Oath
After failure to arrive to any significant conclusion, members of the Clergy and Nobility took a stance alongside the Commoners to form the National Assembly. On June 20th, the King locked the members of the National Assembly out of their regular meeting room, so they assembled an indoor tennis court. It was at that time they decided that they wouldn't disband until France had a constitution. This is the famous Tennis Court Oath. -
Storming of the Bastille
The King continued to disregard the National Assembly and not think much of it. He assembled his men near the city of Paris. Rumours of a potential attack began spreading around amongst the citizens and this caused crowds to storm the royal prison, called the Bastille, to release the few prisoners inside and collect weapons to use for defence. -
Abolition of the Feudal System
Due to more rumours about a declining economy, fear and panic led to attacks on the estates of the nobility. This resulted in the National Assembly abolishing the Estates-General, dismantling the feudal system and obtaining legislative and political power. -
Creation of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
In 1789, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen were created by the National Assembly. It stated the rights of individuals and important democratic policies. It spoke on the right to freedom, property, safety and the right to resist oppression, as well as outlining basic laws. -
March on Versailles
In October 1789, thousands of people marched together to Versailles to protest the high prices of bread and grains. It is here that the citizens discovered the royal family's plan to flee France. They forced the King to return to Paris. -
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Changes in Nationalism throughout the Revolution
Prior to the French Revolution, France was split by many regions and religions. The one thing that could possibly connect the nation together was the idea that everyone was supposed to serve the king. However, by the start of the nineteenth century, there appeared to be a sense of belonging and unity among the French people. Many no longer saw themselves as "subject" to serve the King, instead, they began seeing themselves as "citizens" who serve their own nation proudly. -
Creation of a Constitutional Monarchy
In 1790, a new constitution was written for France by the National Assembly to keep the country under a monarchy. It defined France as a sovereign nation, made all government officials subjectable to the law, and limited the power of the King and gave most of the power to an elected legislative assembly. Lastly, it eliminated the nobility as a political class, and granted the same civil rights to all citizens. -
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Emergence of Jacobins and Girondins
Two different political groups were started, the Jacobins and the Girondins. The Girondins wanted to maintain maintain the monarchy, whereas the Jacobins were radicals who wanted France as a republic. The Jacobins attacked the Tuileries Palace in August of 1792 (this is where the royal family was) and the King was immediately discharged of duty by the elected legislative assembly. -
France Declares War on Austria
With the recent changes in legislation, many nobles fled to Austria and Prussia and attempted to mobilize their armies against France. The mere threat of an invasion led to France declaring war on Austria. Prussia came to the aid of Austria a few weeks later. -
National Convention and Declaration of France as a Republic
The National Convention was made up of Jacobins and Girondins and they voted to remove the monarchy in France and establish a republic. -
Trial & Execution of Louis XVI
The King was tried and found guilty of treason by the new republic and was sentenced to death. -
Levee en Masse (Conscription)
In light of the recent losses to Austria, Prussia and Great Britain, the government issued a mass conscription to provide additional soldiers for France's military efforts. -
Execution of Marie Antoinette
The wife of Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, was tried for multiple charges including treason. She was found guilty and executed. -
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Reign of Terror
The National Convention arrested & executed 40,000 perceived enemies of the republic. This was carried out by the nine members Committee of Public Safety, one of which was Maximilien Robespierre.