French Revolution

  • Calling of Estates General in 1789

    An assembly containing representatives from all 3 of France’s estates was called the 5th of May 1789 in Versailles. This was the first time in over 100 years that the estates general was summoned. They were summoned to address the growing economic problems in France, their solution was to raise taxes on the 3rd Estate.
  • Forming of the National Constituent Assembly

    After the admittedly unfair raising of taxes on the Third Estate by the Estates General, on July 9th 1789, members of the Third Estate declared themselves representatives of the French nation rather than of the Third Estate. It would act as a legislative body for France in the first few years of the Revolution.
  • Storming of the Bastille

    On the 14th of July 1789, the Bastille was stormed by disgruntled members of the Third Estate. They conducted the raid on the Bastille in order to acquire arms to aid them in their revolution. The whole ordeal left 18 dead and 73 wounded. 7 of the guards present at the fortress were beheaded and paraded around Paris on pikes.
  • Great Fear

    From July 22nd to August 6th 1789, a great fear of an “aristocratic conspiracy” swept across France. This led to numerous peasant revolts across France.
  • Night Session of August 14th

    On the Night of August 14th 1789, the complete abolition of the Feudal system in France was announced, it abolished the birthrights that Nobility had, and the tithes gathered by the Catholic Church.
  • Declaration of the Rights of Man

    On August 26th, the French National assembly drafted the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens. This sought to limit the power of the king by giving the people of France social liberties, and a right to overthrow any government they believed were oppressing them.
  • Women's march of 1789

    The Women’s March of October 5th 1789 entailed disgruntled French citizens, mostly women, marching to Versailles in protest to the egregious prices for bread.
  • Civil Constitution of the Clergy

    Passed by the National Constituent assembly to limit the power of the Catholic Church in France. Priests and bishops were elected or appointed by assemblies, the Pope had no say in the appointment of French Clergy. The French government was to pay their salaries.
  • Louis and Marie escape Paris

    On the night of June 20th 1791, King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and their children fled Paris in hopes of reaching Austria. The Royal family was seeking help from the Austrian Monarchy to deal with the revolution. They were caught in a small town near the Austrian border and were taken back to Paris.
  • War is declared on Austria

    On April 20th 1792, war was declared on Austria by the French National assembly because they saw Austria as a threat to their revolution. Prussia, an ally of Austria, soon joined in the fight.
  • Citizens attack Tuileries Palace

    On August 10th 1792, Tuileries Palace was attacked by Republican soldiers and French revolutionaries who sought to overthrow the monarchy entirely.
  • Battle of Verdun

    From the 29th of August through the 2nd of September, the Prussian and Asutrians laid weight to the fortress of Verdun. The fort was taken on the 2nd of September after some artillery barrages from the Prussians and Austrians
  • September massacre

    From September 2nd to September 6th, prisoners are slaughtered all across Paris. It was feared that if Royalist armies attacked Paris, the inmates in the prisons would join them.
  • King Louis XVI executed

    On January 21st 1793, King Louis XVI was executed via guillotine. He was marched up to the blade and attempted to give a speech, but was quickly silenced by drumroll.
  • Adoption of Tricolor Flag

    In 1794, the Tricolor Flag was officially adopted as the French Flag. It’s colors symbolize the ideas of the revolution, liberty, equality, brotherhood ,democracy, and modernization.

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