-
The Storming of the Bastille
Bernard-René Jordan de Launay, the military governor of the Bastille, feared that his fortress was in danger of falling victim to the revolutionaries, so he requested reinforcements and protection.
In the early hours of July 14th, a magnificent crowd gathered around the Bastille. Launay and his men were able to hold off the crowd at first, but they were forced to surrender. -
March on Versailles
The women of France set out on a march from Paris to Versailles in hopes of getting bread as it was too expensive to buy. -
Royal family attempts to escape
The royal family escaped to Varennes from Paris, but the revolutionary government caught them. -
Champ de Mars Massacre
The Champ de Mars Massacre led to the killing of 30-50 Parisian civilians by the National Guard at a political protest on July 17th 1791.The Champ de Mars Massacre increased radicalism in Paris, and caused many Parisians to lose faith in the Assembly.It also shattered the reputations of Bailly, who had alerted the National Guard in the first place. -
Attack on the Tuileries Palace
Almost three years after the storming of the Bastille, the Parisians stormed the Palace of Puileries, the home of the King and the Legislative Assembly. -
Trial of King Louis XVI
After the arrest of the King, the Legislative Assembly disbanded, and became the National Convention. King Louis XVI was charged with treason. On January 21, 1793 Louis was driven through the streets of Paris and was decapitated in front of a large crowd. -
Reign of Terror
The newly formed National convention was controlled by the Committee of Public Safety, led by Maximilien Robespierre. Robespierre wanted to purge France of all of the enemies to the Revolution. From September 1793 to July 1794, an estimated 16,000 people were guillotined. On July 27, 1794, Robespierre was arrested He was guillotined the following day. -
Napoleon's Rise to Power
After the demise of Robespierre, the National Convention created a new constitution for France that would be implemented in 1795. The new government would be led by the Directory, which would consist of five executive council members. Almost immediately, the new government became corrupt and suffered financially. However, a military commander by the name of Napoleon Bonaparte would return from Egypt, and removed the Directory. Napoleon then established the Consulate, naming himself First Consul.
