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Causes of the French Revolution
Some of the main causes for the French Revolution include France having an absolute Monarchy; with the spending habbits of the King and Queen France began to experience a financial crisis. Other events such as severe drought causing food shortages also led up to the revolution. -
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The french revolution
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Luis 16th becomes King.
After the death of his grandfather, Louis 16th became King of France at a very young age (notes) -
Meeting with the estates General
King Louis called a meeting of the estates General to try and solve the financial crisis. There were 3 estates, the Clergy, the Nobles and the rest of the population. Each estate had only one vote and the third estate could be over ruled by the clergy and noble estates. http://historylists.org/events/list-of-10-major-events-of-the-french-revolution.html -
National Assembly
Not wanting to have to bear the burden the financial crisis, the third estate broke off and established the National Assembly. They would then represent the French people. The meeting room was locked so they began meeting at an indoor tennis court. They planned on creating a document with rights the French people should have (D.R.M). -
Tennis Court Oath
As a result of being locked out of the meeting room, the National Assembly started meeting in the tennis court and created what is know as the Tennis Court Oath. This oath stated that the 3rd estate would continue meeting until the D.R.M was complete. http://alphahistory.com/frenchrevolution/tennis-court-oath/ -
Attack on Bastilles
An angry crowd marched on the Bastille, where all the gun powder was stored. Breaking in and retreiving the gun powder gave the people power to defend and fight for themselves. notes -
D.R.M
The D.R.M is the Declaration of Rights of Men. This document was created to demand the rights the National Assembly believed the people should have. The tennis court oath was created to swear the National Assmebly would meet until the D.R.M was complete -
Bread March
In Paris, and most of France the people were starving and unemployed. A large crowd of protesters mainly woman marched to Versailles convinced that the Upper class members were oblivious to the living conditions of the people. The crowd broke into the palace and demanded bread and that the King and his family would come live in Paris to live "among the people". http://historylists.org/events/list-of-10-major-events-of-the-french-revolution.html -
The Great Escape
After being under house arrest for two years, the King loses more power with each law that he is forced to sign. The King and Queen escaped but was caught in Austria and brought back to France. notes -
France goes to war
France declared war on Austria. Prussia was allied with Austria so France was now in the midst of fighting both countries. -
Trials for King and Queen
Louis was charged with treason. The vote at the end of the trial was unanimous: Louis was guilty. The vote on the death penalty was much closer but it passed. On January 21, 1793, Louis was driven through the streets of Paris to a guillotine and decapitated. Marie Antoinette had a short trial next. She was accused of numerous crimes, many of them based on rumors. On October 16, she too was found guilty and guillotined the same day. -
Death of King Louis 16th
After being condemned to death on January 20th, King Louis would be executed the next day. 1200 horsemen escorted him to the Guillotine where he would then be put to death. -
Reign of terror
Austrian and Prussia armies invade and get within thirty miles of Paris.The National Assembly killed anyone that was against the revloution. Around forty thousand were killed, including Marie Antoinette (the queen of France during this time) notes/google -
Death of Marie Antoinette
Along with her husband Marie would also be put to death. She was decapitated after also being convicted. -
Results of the French Revolution
The French Revolution impacted all of Europe by inspiring and spreading enlightenment ideas. These ideas would eventually get
rid of monarchies in Europe and improve peoples thinking by questioning things and experimenting things. notes -
Rise of Napolean
In 1799, a successful military commander named Napoleon Bonaparte returned from a military expedition in Egypt and ousted the Directory. Napoleon established what he called the Consulate and himself as the First Consul. http://historylists.org/events/list-of-10-major-events-of-the-french-revolution.html
