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The Old Regime
Before the Revolution took place, the French were divided into three groups. The first estate consisted of the clergy, the second estate of the nobility, and the third estate of the bourgeoisie, urban workers, and peasants. The first two were mostly known for more privileges and exemption for most taxation. -
France sank into dept
During the 1770s and 1780s, France sank deeply into dept due to wasteful spending of the King and Queen. Aside from that, Louis had handed down depth from the previous kings and was borrowing money from the bank mostly. Not only that, but he borrowed a massive amount of money to help the American Revolutionaries since he was eager to weaken England. The King fell into serious issues when the bank refused to lend the government money. -
A Great Fear
The Great Fear was a period of time where there was 'panic' and 'riot' mostly by peasants because of the "aristocratic conspiracy” by the king and the privileged to overthrow the Third Estate. -
George Washington is elected President
In 1789, the first presidential election was made. George Washington won the election with 69 electoral votes, gaining the trust and support of most of the participants for presidency. -
Storming of the Bastille
A political crisis led to a revolt. On July fourteenth a state prison on the East side of Paris known as the "Bastille", was attacked by an angry group to steal some weapons. The angry mob stole around 28,000 riffles from there, due to the fact that there were only few soldiers guarding the Bastille. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man & Citizen
The Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizens passed by France's National Constituent Assembly. This Declaration takes about the Rights of Man, Citizen, and the equality and independence for all men under the state. Although this document was one of the main ones in the Revolution, women and slaves were not encountered under this Declaration. -
March on Versailles
A large group of women marched from Paris to Versailles to demand the starvation of the populace of Paris, while King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette continued to feast like famed royalty. -
Royal family tries to leave France
King Louis XVI (16th) and his family attempt to abandon France and escape to Austria. Fortunately, they are recognized and intercepted at the border, placing the whole family under house arrest for attempting to abandon their country. -
The Reign of Terror
Many executions took place against the enemies of the revolution. People who went against the ideas of the Revolution were rapidly sent prison and executed. 40,000 died during this time. Nobles and clergy, middle-class citizens, and peasants were killed. -
End of Revolution
Napoleon Bonaparte overthrows the Directory and establishes the French Consulate with himself as the new leader of France, which brings an official end to the French Revolution.
