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American Revolution 1775-1783
France joined America to fight Great Britain for the freedom and separation in the United States. France did this just to help out America and it was very expensive. This caused great debt in France and the citizens, mostly the third estate who were paying the most taxes were unhappy. This revolution gave the third estate ideas of what they could accomplish and overthrow the king. -
Calling of the Estates General
Calling of the Estates General was opened by the King and this was a chance for the third estate to voice their opinion on what should be done and what they believed to be fair. Maximilien Robespierre was the third estates representative. The third estate mainly wanted to stop paying taxes or have equal taxes with the first and second estate. The first and second estate rejected this idea because they did not want to lose any power. Meanwhile the third estate was planning on revolting. -
The Tennis Court Oath
The third estate was meeting with King Louis XVI in the Palace of Versiallis and the King demanded that they move, so they moved to an indoor tennis court. There they made an oath where they would not leave until they made what they felt was a fair constitution for France. -
Storming the Bastille
The third estate was very unhappy with King Louis XVI and how he rejected their ideas. They were starting to revolt, but they did not have many weapons. They stormed the Bastille where there was gun powder they could take. The third estate attacked and had a standoff with the guards of the fortress. The third estate prevailed and took the fortress and gunpowder. -
Great Fear
A period of panic and riots by peasants and any other men who were assigned by the King who were sent to overthrow the third estate.The peasants that were assigned by the King disobeyed him and destroyed feudal documents and attacking chateaus. feudalism was abolished during this. -
Deceleration of Rights of Man
The national assembly formed a set of rights that any man should have, considering the ignorance and unfairness by the corrupt government. Articles:- Men are born free and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions can be based only on public utility.
- The aim of every political association is the preservation of the natural and imperceptible rights of man. These rights are liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.
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March on Versailles
The women of France led a march into the Palace to demand bread. There were so many women that the royal family had to escape through the back entrance so they were not hurt or captured. This would be the last time King Louis XVI and Maria Antoinette would see the Palace of Versailles. -
King Louis XVI Executed
King Louis XVI was convicted of conspiracy with foreign powers and was sentenced to death. He was killed by the guillotine a day later. His wife Maria Antoinette followed to the guillotine after him. -
Maximilien Robespierre (Reign of Terror)
After the execution of King Louis XVI a man named Maximilien Robespierre who had a big role in executing the King, was named a member of the powerful Committee of Public Safety. Later he became the President of the National Convention. Although he didn't have the title of Emperor and monarchy was supposed to have ended, he had the authority of one. His ruling was called the Reign of Terror. -
Maximilien Robespierre
On the evening of July 28th, Robespierre's hotel room was raided and troops of the national convention took him to Palace de la Revolution where he met the guillotine. -
Napoleon Takes Power
Napoleon Bonaparte takes over as the Dictator of France after the French revolution ended. He was formerly a very successful army general. Although it was a dictatorship he had he Council of 500 and the Council of elders. He ruled France from 1804-1821.
