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Estates General convened by King
With the economic problems rising, Louis XVI calls the Estates General in Versailles for the first time since 1614, a total of 175 years difference. Seeking equality, the Third Estate calls for a just number of representatives, and after pressuring the king, receives it at 270 nobles, 291 clergy. and 578 commoner representatives. On June 17, the commoners see no change and decide to form their own group: the National Assembly. -
Tennis Court Oath
Regardless of the condition of the Estates General, the National Assembly continued to run. On this day, an oath signed by 577 people stated that the group would not fully leave the Tennis Court until a constitution was written and agreed upon. In the case of extended stay, plans were made for individuals to obtain materials such as food. A plan of evasive actions was also made in the case of the king sending troops to forcibly end them: they would flee to Paris, which is synonymous to revolt. -
Storming of Bastille (continuation)
Launay was decapitated, along with many other guards, and displayed outside in the public view with pride. The fortress represented the king and his power. -
Storming of Bastille
Marquis de Launay and 32 Swiss men prepared for an attack two weeks before this day, intending only 100 show up. But their reinforcements had not taken account of 300 of their guards fleeing and over 300 attackers. These men and women, led by Pierre-Augustin Hulin, intended to search the fortress for prisoners and gunpowder. After seeing himself overwhelmed, Launay threatened to ignite a large amount of gunpowder to destroy the entire fortress. Ignoring the threat, the invaders pressed on. -
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National Assembly Decrees Abolition of Feudalism
During this time, several changes were made to better the common people. First started by Viscount de Noailles and Duke d' Aiguillon, they ended the seigneurial rights of the Second Estate. Soon after, the Bishop of Nancy and Chartres ended the collection of tithes. By August 11, a large set of changes occured including: game laws, pensions, immunities, surplice money, first-fruits, pluralities, buying magistracy, and tax collectors having favorites. -
"Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen" Written
With the help of Thomas Jefferson, Marquis de Lafayette wrote a document for the National Assembly based slightly off the Declaration of Independence created recently by America. This document was aimed at the view that ignorance, neglect, and contempt cause all the sufferings that had existed. With that in mind, it stated 17 points that were assumed the rights of all men. Louis XVI was forced to sign it, but had not agreed to supporting the document. -
Women's March for Bread (to Versailles)
Even with the rain, over 6,000 women gathered to reach the king in Versailles, and with each door they passed, more women joined. Upon hearing the crowd would arrive, Louis XVI stated that he would distribute all the bread in the city for the women. After their arrival, the king and queen gave a small speech to regain the favor of the people. Fearing for the king's safety, the National Guard led him to Paris. -
Abolition of Nobility and Titles
On this day, it was agreed that all French titles would cease to exist. This meant that one would receive no honors, which was intended to grant equality for all the people. This of course, did not apply to foreignors. -
Black Citizens of French Colonies Gain Equal Rights
The abolition group of the Society of Friends of the Blacks worked to provide freedom and rights for the slaves. Convincing the nation to allow for these freedoms, it would be another 3 years before the National Assembly freed the colonial slaves with the Universal Emancipation decree. -
Legislative Assembly Starts
A collection of men who were chosen to form new policies and look for the general benefit of the people. Maximilien Robespierre convinced the group that only those who were not in the National Assembly at any point should be included. This left the group with many young and inexperienced middle class politicians. With the 745 members of varying positions on the political scale, little was done due to the common arguments made frequently. -
Jacobins Lead the Storming of the Tuileries Palace, Massacre of Swiss Guard, and Capture of King
Attacking a total of four times, over 30,000 French men and women attacked the Palace of Tuileries. Fleeing in advance, the king was brought to the Legislative Assembly building in Versailles. He gave no further orders, resulting in the revolters killing 600 of the 900 Swiss guards. The king was later captured within the building he fled to, but only after all the guards with him were also killed, leaving only him and Marie Antoinette. -
King Louis XVI is executed
After being trialed by the National Convention for a chance of life, he was declared guilty. This led to the execution of both him and his wife by means of the guillotine. -
Committee of Public Safety Created
Started by the National Convention, the nine members were to administrate executives and ministers. With the failure of the Girondins' attempt to gain power, Robespierre led this group along with Saint-Just and Georges Couthon. Robespierre eventually creates a dictatorship, creating for himself 14 armies. -
Beginning of the Reign of Terror
A phase of political conflict between various factions including the Girondins and the Jacobins. In order to gain an advantage, many used the guillotine on their opponents. To further increase the use of the guillotine, the Law of Suspects allowed tribunals to try opposition. Those would then be executed. -
End of the Reign of Terror
Robespierre is executed after the Battle of Fleurus. He had inspired the killers with his own views of virtue. Robespierre however, attempted to commit suicide the day before his execution. -
Directorate Created
A college of people were selected to rule France. These people would perform presidential, republic, and parliamentary duties for the people. -
Napoleon Bonaparte Becomes Dictator, the "First Consul"
Invited to join the triumvirate after returning from Egypt, Napoleon performs a coup d'etat with Abbe Sieyes to take control of France, indefinitely ending the feudal system. In his rule, he creates a more efficient France which made most of the common folk support him. Those who opposed were executed. -
Napoleon Becomes Emperor of France
Surrounded by the aristocrats that support him, Napoleon lives a life of luxury not unlike that of his predecessor Louis XVI. But unlike him, Napoleon manages to maintain power by unifying the country, mostly by placing monuments of himself in various locations and censoring the press. He did however, create a new law code (named after himself), and created better roads and more canals. But his life was not only in France, but all over Europe, as he was fond of attacking neighboring coutries.
