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Louis XIV's Death
Louis XIV died leaving France in debt. France was in debt because of the building of Versailles. -
Robespierre Becomes Leader of the Committee of Public Safety/Reign of Terror
Robespierre was a Jacobin leader who set out to build a "republic of virtue" by trying to wipe out any trace of France's past and made a calendar with no Sundays and closed churches. The Committee of Public Safety was made to protect the revolution from its enemies. The Reign of Terror was the period of time when all enemies of the revolution were tried and executed. 40,000 were executed. 85% were middle class, Marie Antoinette, and a kid who chopped down a tree planted as a symbol of liberty. -
The Meeting of the Estates General
The Estates General was an assembly of representatives from all three estates. They met in separate halls in Versailles and they each had one vote. The economic problem was that there was a huge debt and Louis XVI was trying to find a way to fix the economic troubles. The Third Estate was paying about 97% of the taxes which angered them. They wanted to change the Estates General by instead of each Estate having one vote, every delegate should have one so that the Third Estate would always win. -
The Storming of the Bastille
The storming of the Bastille was when a mob searching for gunpowder and arms stormed the Bastille. The Bastille was a prison in France. This was important because it started the revolution. -
The Formation of the National Assembly and Tennis Court Oath
The National Assembly was made up of the Third Estate. It was made to pass laws and reforms in the name of the French people. They wanted to proclaim the end of the absolute monarchy in France. The Tennis Court Oath was a pledge saying they had to stay until they had drawn up a new constitution. This made Louis mad and he put his mercenary army of guards around Versailles. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
The Declaration of the Rights of Man was a statement of revolutionary ideals. It stated that men are born and remain free and equal in rights including liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression. It also guaranteed equal justice, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion to the citizens. -
A New Government Is Formed
The new government that was formed was called the Directory. It had a two-house legislature with a 5 man executive body. The power was also in the hands of the upper middle class. The plan was drafted by moderate leaders -
The Royal Family Attempts to Escape
When Louis and his family tried to escape from France, they were captured. This increased the influence of more radical enemies. -
Limited Constitutional Monarchy was Created
The National Assembly created a new kind of government. It was a limited constitutional monarchy. This kind of government took away much of the king's authority. It also created a new legislative body called the Legislative Assembly. It had the power to approve or reject declarations of war and create laws. -
The National Assembly Replaced
The National Assembly was replaced by the National Convention. The National Convention abolished the monarchy. It also declared France a republic . Adult males were also given the right to hold office and vote. -
France Declares War
France declared war on Austria and Prussia. They declared war on them because they did not want them to interfere with the Revolution. -
Louis Is Exectued
Louis was reduced to common citizen by the National Convention. They then tried him for treason and executed him. He was executed at the guillotine. -
Robespierre Is Executed
Robespierre was executed. He was executed when he was turned on by members. This also ended the Reign of Terror.
