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1770's Old Regime
There were three social classes classes called estates. 97% of the people of France were in the third Estate. They lacked privileges and had no power to influence the government. They paid half their income in taxes. The people began to resent the monarchy. -
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Events of the French Revolution
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1789 Women march on Versailles
Bad weather caused crop failure. The price of bread doubles. Many people faced starvation. Frustration of the citizens causes unrest. Thousands of women from Paris march to Versailles demanding bread and that the royal family return to Paris. -
"Rights of Man" adopted
The National Assembly adopted a statement of revolutionary ideals. It was called the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. It stated that all men are born and remain free and equal in rights. The revolutionary leaders adopted the slogan "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" -
Estates General called
The Estates General met. Under this old regime each estate had one vote. The first two estates usually voted together. That left the Third Estate with essentially no voice. The citizens grew angry at the unfairness. -
National Assembly
The Third Estate named themselves the National Assembly and said they would pass laws for the French people. This declaration was the end of the absolute monarchy and the first act of the revolution. -
Storming the Bastille
French citizens thought the King was going to use military strength to attack the National Assembly. They started to arm themselves. They broke into the Bastille looking for weapons and ammunition. The ended up killing the commander and guards. People started to take things into their own hands -
Royal Family escapes Paris
The King thought about his future in France now that the monarchy was no longer in power. His advisors told him it wasn't safe to stay in France. The royal family left Paris and tried to escape to the Austrian Netherlands. They were caught and returned to Paris. His enemies in the government grew stronger and the King was now insignificant -
France declares war
Many nobles and monarchs in other European countries were afraid what happened in France would spread to their countries. They urged France to reinstate the King. In answer, France declared war. -
National Convention takes control and the king is killed
In September 1792 the National Convention takes control of the government. They reduce Louis XIV's role from king to a common citizen. They tried him for treason, found him guilty and sentenced him to death. He was beheaded by the guillotine a few months later. -
Robespierre and the Reign of Terror
The revolutionary leader Robespierre takes over the government and rules as dictator. He kills anyone who questions his leadership. The National Convention arrests Robespierre and sentenced him to death by guillotine -
Napoleon defends the National Convention
There were still many people in France that wanted to bring back a monarchy. These royalists tried to attack the National Convention. Napoleon and his soldiers defended the National Convention. He was called the "saviour of the republic" all over France. He then led several successful military campaigns against France's enemies
