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Jacques Necker
A Genevan banker and statesman who served as finance minister for Louis XVI. He attempted to divide the taille or poll tax more equally. -
Jean-Paul Marat
Was a French political theorist, physician, and scientist. He was a vigorous defender of the sans-culottes, a radical voice, and published his views in pamphlets. -
Louis XVI
The last King of France before the fall of the monarchy. He was referred to as Citizen Louis Capet. Then four months after he was executed by guillotine. -
Marie Antoinette
Last Queen of France. She was born in Austria and married to Louis XVI. She was guillotined for being guilty of crimes against the state. -
Maequis de Lafayette
A French aristocrat and military officer. He hoped to suppress the radical democrats. Also, he served the Continental Army with distinction during the American Revolutionary War. -
Napoleon Bonaparte
He was a French military and political leader. He was the de facto leader of the French Republic as First Consul from 1799 to 1804. Was the first Emporer of France. -
Calling of the Estates General
A general assembly representing the French estates of the realm was summoned by Louis XVI. Was propose solutions to France's financial problems. -
Formation of the National Assembly
It was a revolutionary assembly formed by the representatives of the Third Estate. They represented at least 96% of the nation. -
Tennis Court Oath
A commitment to a national constitution and representative government. The vote was "not to separate and to reassemble. -
Attack on the Bastille
A state prison on the east side of Paris, known as the Bastille, was attacked by an angry and aggressive mob. Held only seven prisoners -
Women's march to Versailles
Concerned over the high price and scarcity of bread, women from the marketplaces of Paris led the March on Versailles. Eventually forcing the royals to return to Paris. -
Sans-culottes
They are the common people of the lower class. They had a poor quality of life. Also, later some became radical and militant partisans because of it. -
Execution of Louis XVI
Louis was condemned to death by 380 votes to 310. He was guillotined in the Place de la Révolution. -
Reign of Terror
A period of state-sanctioned violence and mass executions during the French Revolution. France's revolutionary government ordered the arrest and execution of thousands of people. -
The directory is formed
The governing five-member committee in the French First Republic. It was overthrown by Napoleon Bonaparte.