French Revolution Timeline (1789-1799)

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    French Revolution

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    The French Revolution 1789-1799

  • King Louis XVI marries Marie Antoinette.

    King Louis XVI marries Marie Antoinette.
    On April 19, 1770 Marie Antoinette and Louis-Auguste were married by proxy in the Augustine Church in Vienna. Marie Antoinette left for France two days later.
  • King Louis XV dies.

    On May 10, 1774 King Louis XV dies of smallpox. Year later King Louis XVI is crowned king.
  • King Louis becomes king of France.

    King Louis becomes king of France.
    On June 11, 1775 20-year old Louis-Auguste is crowned King Louis XVI at the cathedral in Rheims.
  • Marie Antoinette's mother dies.

    Marie’s mother, the Empress of Austria, dies.
  • National Assembly was created.

  • Tennis Court Oath.

    Tennis Court Oath.
    On June 20 The Third Estate is locked out of their meeting hall, so the group (now calling itself the National Assembly) meets in an abandoned indoor tennis court. They vow not to disband until a constitution is created and approved.
  • The Bastille was attacked.

    The Bastille was attacked.
    Worried by royal troops moving toward Paris and rumors of the dismissal of finance minister Necker, Parisians scour the city for arms to defend it, coming eventually to the Bastille prison, where they demand to be given all weapons inside. When the guards refuse to open the gates, they storm the building and the Bastille falls.
  • Declaration of the Rights of Man

    Declaration of the Rights of Man
    On August 26 The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, inspired by the American Declaration of Independence of 1776.
  • The Bread March occurs.

    The Bread March occurs.
    12,000 women march versailles to get bread and reduce its prices. While storming versailles they captured King Louis XVI and his family.
  • King and Queen try to flee to Austria

    Between June 20-25 The royal family attempts to flee France, but they are arrested at Varennes and returned to Paris.
  • France declared war on Prussia and Austria

    France declared war on Prussia and Austria
    The Girondin leader Brissot, wanted Louis XVI to remain in power, but he felt threatened by the Declaration of Pillnitz and rallied the Legislative Assembly to declare war against Austria on April 20, 1792.
  • King Louis XVI is executed

    King Louis XVI is executed
  • Reign of Terror (1793-1794)

    Reign of Terror (1793-1794)
    The goverment kills 40,000 people who are against the revolution. Ends when Robespierre falls on July 27, 1794.
  • Louis Charles (King Louis XVII) Dies.

    Louis Charles (King Louis XVII) Dies.
    Marie Antoinette's son and heir to the throne, Louis Charles, dies at the age of 10, brutalized and alone and a prisoner in the Temple.
  • Marie Antoinette is executed.

    Marie Antoinette is executed.
    October 15: Before nine male judges, Marie Antoinette is found guilty on all counts by an all-male jury which unanimously condemns her to death. October 16: Marie Antoinette is executed by guillotine.
  • Napoleon Bonaparte becomes French leader.

    Napoleon Bonaparte becomes French leader.
    Napoleon formed key political alliances and seized control of the French government on Nov. 9, 1799, in a bold move known as the Coup d'Etat of Eighteenth Brumaire.After 10 years of revolution and civil disorder, the French wanted a strong leader. Napoleon could now rule France as a dictator.