-
King Louis XVI Calls the Estates General
In order to address the declining political and economic situation in France, Louis XVI assembled the three estates, clergy, nobility, and common people, to debate the direction of France moving forward. In the decision making process each of the estates were given one vote, despite the third estate making up 97% of the population. The political and economic tensions that were discussed at the Estates General were the cause of the Storming of the Bastille and the later violence that ensued. -
Tennis Court Oath
The Tennis Court Oath was an oath taken by members of the French third estate vowing not to separate or disperse until a French constitution was established. The third estate was demanding a constitution because they felt disenfranchised by the current social, economic, and political systems of France. This was also the underlying cause of the French Revolution and subsequent violent events. -
Storming of the Bastille
The Storming of the Bastille was a violent takeover on the French armory, prison, and fortress that was the Bastille. The Bastille symbolized central authority in France and its fall to angry citizens marked the beginning of the French Revolution. This eventually led to further violence seen mostly during the Reign of Terror. -
National Assembly Adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen was a human civil rights document born of the French Revolution. This document was drafted in response to what was a perceived infringement of rights by the French Government. This would form the basis of the French government going forward as well as the foundation for other republics like the United States. -
The Women's March on Versailles
60,000 women marched 12 miles from Paris to Versailles in response to political and social inequities in France. Many of them were struggling to feed their families while members of the first and second estate lived lives of luxury. The socioeconomic causes of the women's march were the same problems that caused the Storming of the Bastille, The Great Fear, and other political violence throughout France. -
France Becomes a Constitutional Monarchy
France becomes a constitutional monarchy after the creation and ratification of the constitution of 1791. This greatly limited the power of the monarchical family and created a governmental system with separated powers. This was a direct result of the social and political inequities that were prevalent in France at the time. -
Louis XVI is Executed by Guillotine
One day after being convicted of conspiracy with foreign powers, King Louis XVI was led to the guillotine and promptly executed. King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette attempted to flee France and stage a counter-revolution but were caught and Louis was convicted of Treason. The public's hatred of Louis XVI came from the obvious injustices of the social and political system in France, which was also the primary cause of the previous revolution. -
Robespierre's Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror was a period during the French Revolution after the establishment of the First French Republic. This time period was characterized by multiple massacres, public executions and other displays of violence. The escalated tensions in France caused by the storming of the Bastille led to the violent outbreaks that define the Reign of Terror. -
Installation of the Directory
The Directory was a committee with five members that governed France for four years until it was overthrown by Napoleon in 1799. The Directory was established in response to the heightened political tensions in France after the French Revolution. -
Napoleon is Declared Emperor of France
Five years after the end of the French Revolution Napoleon was officially declared Emperor of France. Napoleon would rule for 10 years before being exiled and is considered one of the greatest military minds of all time. Despite the limitation of power the crown saw at the conclusion of the revolution, the people were still unsatisfied with the current rulers. This ultimately leads to crowning of Napoleon.
