French Revolution Timeline

  • Civil Constitution of the Clergy

    After the new constitution emerged, many question arised about the equality of not only men, but women, slaves, and more. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was passed and it confiscated all church property for the government and promised wages.
    Response: The Assembly added a loyalty oath because it didn't go over well. There was an attack on priests which led them to hide in exile. Peasants occasionally hid the priests as resistance.
  • France's first constitution

    France's first constitution was passed, it called for a constitutional monarchy, like in England. The king was supposed to govern with a Legislative Assembly which would have elected representatives chosen by men fitting the qualifications.
    Reponse: The monarch response was upset and the king attempted to flee with his family in Belgium. It did not work and they were caught. This upset the people of Paris, including the peasants.
  • War on Austria

    War was declared on Austria. Revolutionaries believed it would safe-guard the newly instated government and spread the revolution. Started as a disaster.
    Response: Nobles fled
  • New High of Radicalism

    Austria and Prussia allied against France to destroy the revolution.
    Response: working class, the sans-culottes, marched on the Legislative Assembly and demanded change.
    The LA called for new elections and gave every man a right to vote.
  • The National Convention

    The National Convention destroyed the monarchy and declared a republic. Political parties emerged. The Jacobins called for continued change while conservatives resisted. The Girondins wanted kindness to the king and put focus on the countryside. The Mountain pushed for more change and allied with the people of Paris.
    Response: The King was put on trial and his execution confirmed.
  • Push against the Committee

    Rebellions began throughout the year, the Committee executed such.
    Response: Peasants resisted, Committee voted to execute the queen, the calendar was changed to be less religious
  • Louis XVI Execution

    At the execution the democratic revolution was complete.
  • Committee of Public Safety

    The Convention gave executive power to the Committee of Public Safety, they were meant to help manage the war effort.
    Response: Sent delegates out to arrest or execute those who weren't sufficiently enthusiastic for the revolution. Eventually it worked, there was a new sense of fervor and enthusiasm regarding the revolution.
  • Thermidor Reaction

    Robespierre continued to kill those he saw as enemies and brought out a list of such, however the National Convention booed, arrested, and executed him.
    Response: Robespierre's allies were executed, peasants were given a truce, the convention abolished slavery
  • Constitution of 1795

    Two-house legislature was created and an executive called the Directory.
    Response: Less of a push against the nobles and the Church. Armies pushed back invaders and expanded into German states.
  • Napoleon Bonaparte

    Led French to victory and remade Italy which now had constitutions like France and the New Democratic systems.
  • Italian Campaign

    Directory sent him to Egypt to keep him out of Paris. Campaign failed.
    Response:Army and peasants loved Bonaparte, looked like a hero
  • First Consul of the French Republic

    Marched into new assemblies and asked for a change in the Constitution of 1795.
    Response: soldiers threatened the government and declared Bonaparte First Consul of the French Republic (basically a dictator)