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The Estates General represented the Three Estates. They were called by Louis XVI for the first time in 150 to help find a solution to France's economic problems. Louis XVI wanted them to approve new taxation so he could get more tax revenue. They were divided over the issue and struggled to make a decision. The 3rd Estate wanted more representation, and the 2nd and 1st Estate voted against any changes. -
The Third Estate becomes tired of this struggle over legal issues and declares themselves the National Assembly. They threaten to proceed without the other two estates.
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When the deputies of the Third Estate were locked out of the hall where the Estates General meeting was taking place, they went to a nearby indoor tennis court. There, they swore an oath to remain together until France had a new constitution. -
When rumours arose that the king was organizing troops to put down the Revolution, a Paris mob stormed the Bastille. The Bastille was seen as a symbol of royal tyranny, it was a huge fortress/prison with only 7 prisoners at the time. The king had recently transferred gunpowder and arms to the Bastille, and the mob demanded they surrender it. -
As we know, one of the National Assembly's goals was to write a new constitution. After many meetings and disagreements, they had written a new constitution that most of the National Assembly agreed with. In September 1791, Louis XVI finally accepted the new constitution, but he was reluctant. The National Assembly became the legislative body, and the king and other royalty made up the executive branch of the government. -
The king had recently declared war on Austria, Prussia joined Austria's side and declared war on France. The king was blamed for this. After the king then vetoed some laws the Legislative Assembly was trying to pass and dismissed a group of ministers, it created tension. He also formed a new cabinet of mostly constitutional monarchists. In August, the Tuileries Palace was stormed and many people on the kings side were killed. Weeks later the monarchy officially ended.
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One day before, Louis XVI was convicted of "conspiracy with foreign powers" and sentenced to death. On this day he was publicly executed with a guillotine.
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The reign of terror started with conflict between two political groups, the Girondins and the Jacobins. The Jacobins were radical revolutionaries, and they feared that there would be groups of people attempting to stop the revolution. They removed Girondins (who were also leftist but more moderate) from positions of power. They then started the "Reign of Terror", in which they would kill anyone who they thought was against the revolution. Tens of thousands of deaths occurred during this time.
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Almost a year later, the Reign of terror ends with the execution of
the Jacobin leader, Maximilien Robespierre, and some of his supporters. There is no longer anyone to carry out the reign of terror.
