French Revolution Timeline - Stephen King

  • King Louis XVI summons Estates

    In 1789, King Louis XVI of France summoned the Estates-General, a representative assembly, to address pressing financial and political issues in the country. This action was a pivotal moment that led to the outbreak of the French Revolution.
  • Estates General Convenes

    King Louis XVI convened the Estates-General, where representatives from different social groups gathered to discuss France's problems, leading to the onset of the French Revolution.
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    French Revolution

    The French Revolution was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France that began in 1789. It was marked by a series of events, including the storming of the Bastille, the Reign of Terror, and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. The revolution aimed to overthrow the monarchy and establish a republic, ultimately leading to significant political and societal changes in France and around the world.
  • Third Estate Rebranded: National Assembly

    The Third Estate in France, representing the commoners and non-noble citizens, rebranded itself as the National Assembly in 1789. This move signaled their determination to have a more significant role in the decision-making process, ultimately leading to the development of the revolutionary government during the French Revolution.
  • Estates General Collapses

    The Estates-General in France collapsed in 1789 due to a deadlock and tensions between the three estates (clergy, nobility, and commoners). This breakdown prompted the commoners, who formed the National Assembly, to meet separately and assert their authority, marking a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the French Revolution.
  • Louis Orders First and Second Estates

    Louis XVI ordered the clergy (First Estate) and nobility (Second Estate) to join the Estates-General in 1789, leading to their convergence with the Third Estate in a unified assembly. This action marked the king's attempt to address France's financial troubles but ultimately contributed to the revolutionary events of the French Revolution.
  • Louis Dismisses Necker

    In 1789, King Louis XVI dismissed Jacques Necker, his popular finance minister, which led to widespread unrest and protests in France. Necker was seen as a voice for financial reform and his dismissal further fueled the growing discontent and tensions that would eventually lead to the outbreak of the French Revolution.
  • Storming of the Bastille

    The Storming of the Bastille was a significant event during the French Revolution when a Parisian mob attacked and seized the Bastille prison, symbolizing their resistance against royal authority and oppression.
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    Great Fear

    The Great Fear was a period of intense rural unrest in France in 1789, characterized by widespread fear and panic among the peasants. During this time, peasants revolted, and there were attacks on nobles' properties and records. The Great Fear contributed to the overall atmosphere of crisis that led to the French Revolution.
  • National Assembly Abolishes Feudal Rights

    The National Assembly abolished feudal rights as part of the early reforms during the French Revolution. This move aimed to eliminate privileges held by the nobility and clergy, contributing to the revolution's push for a more equitable society.
  • Declaration of the Rights of Man Publication

    The Declaration of the Rights of Man was a pivotal document published during the French Revolution, emphasizing principles like liberty, equality, and fraternity, which had a lasting impact on the revolution and inspired similar movements globally.
  • Louis Kidnapped to Paris

    King Louis XVI was taken from Versailles to Paris by a crowd of Parisian women in 1789, in an event known as the Women's March on Versailles. This event shifted the center of political power to the capital and placed the king under closer supervision by revolutionary forces.
  • National Assembly Abolishes Nobility

    The National Assembly abolished nobility during the French Revolution, part of its efforts to reduce the privileges and power held by the noble class.
  • Civil Constitution of the French Clergy

    The Civil Constitution of the French Clergy was a law passed during the French Revolution that aimed to reorganize and assert control over the Catholic Church in France. It led to a significant rift between the state and the Church, as clergy were required to take an oath of loyalty to the state, causing divisions within the Catholic Church in France.
  • Clergy Instructed to Swear Allegiance to France

    Clergy in France were instructed to swear allegiance to the state as part of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy during the French Revolution. This decree required them to pledge loyalty to the revolutionary government, marking a significant change in the relationship between the Catholic Church and the state.
  • Pope Pius VI Condemns Civil Constitution of the Clergy

    Pope Pius VI strongly condemned the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, which was enacted during the French Revolution. The papal condemnation reflected the Catholic Church's opposition to the state's interference in ecclesiastical matters, as the law required clergy to swear loyalty to the revolutionary government. This disagreement further strained the relationship between the Church and the French state.
  • Flight to Varennes

    The Flight to Varennes refers to the attempted escape of King Louis XVI and his family from Paris in 1791. They intended to flee to Varennes, hoping to find support among foreign monarchs opposed to the French Revolution. However, they were recognized and arrested, leading to a loss of faith in the king's commitment to the new constitutional monarchy and deepening political instability in France.
  • Declaration of Pillnitz

    The Declaration of Pillnitz was a statement issued by Holy Roman Emperor Leopold II and King Frederick William II of Prussia in 1791. In this declaration, they expressed concern about the French Revolution and its impact on the French monarchy. Although it did not lead to direct military intervention, it heightened tensions and contributed to the international context surrounding the French Revolution.
  • New Constitution Ratified (with the help of Louis)

    A new constitution was ratified in France during the French Revolution, with the participation of King Louis XVI. This marked a pivotal moment when the king accepted a more limited constitutional role, transitioning France into a constitutional monarchy and granting greater power to the National Assembly.
  • Legislative Assembly Created

    The Legislative Assembly was established during the French Revolution, serving as the legislative body responsible for making laws and marking a shift in the government's structure.
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    Legislative Assembly in Power

    The Legislative Assembly held power during the French Revolution, serving as the legislative body responsible for creating laws and representing a transitional phase in the government's structure.
  • France Declares War on Austria

    France declared war on Austria during the early stages of the French Revolutionary Wars. This declaration of war was part of the revolutionary government's efforts to protect the revolution and spread revolutionary ideals, ultimately leading to a series of conflicts across Europe.
  • War on Austria (Start of French Revolutionary Wars)

    The war on Austria marked the beginning of the French Revolutionary Wars, a series of conflicts initiated by revolutionary France against various European powers. The declaration of war against Austria in 1792 reflected the revolutionary government's aim to defend the revolution and spread its ideals, ultimately leading to a broader European conflict.
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    French Revolutionary Wars

    The French Revolutionary Wars were a series of conflicts during the French Revolution in which France battled various European coalitions. These wars had a significant impact on Europe and the course of the revolution.
  • First use of Guillotine

    The guillotine saw its initial use during the French Revolution as a more efficient and humane means of execution. This debut represented a major shift in how France carried out capital punishment and became a symbol of the violent period known as the Reign of Terror.
  • Prussia Declares War on France

    Prussia declared war on France, becoming one of the European powers involved in the conflicts of the French Revolutionary Wars. This declaration of war was part of the broader struggle between revolutionary France and the monarchies of Europe during that period.
  • Paris Commune Established

    The Paris Commune was established during the French Revolution, serving as a municipal government in Paris. It represented a significant shift in local governance and played a role in revolutionary events and the rise of radical political movements in the city.
  • King Louis Arrested by Extremist Jacobins

    King Louis XVI's arrest by extremist Jacobins was prompted by suspicions of his opposition to the revolution, particularly due to his attempted escape to Varennes in 1791 and his endorsement of war against foreign powers in 1792. This event marked a critical shift in the revolution's trajectory, as it symbolized the growing desire for a republic in place of the monarchy.
  • Parisians Storm Tuileries Palace

    Parisians stormed the Tuileries Palace during the French Revolution, leading to the capture of King Louis XVI and contributing to the revolution's increasing radicalization.
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    National Convention

    The National Convention was a governing body established during the French Revolution, serving as a replacement for the Legislative Assembly. It was responsible for drafting a new republican constitution and played a central role in the political developments of the era.
  • French Republic is officially established

    The French Republic was officially established during the French Revolution, marking the formal end of the monarchy and the beginning of a republican form of government in France. This significant development marked a major transformation in the country's political structure.
  • King Louis XVI Died to the Guillotine

    King Louis XVI was executed by the guillotine during the French Revolution, marking a historic moment in the abolition of the monarchy and the radical political changes that swept through France.
  • France Declares War on Britain and Netherlands

    France declared war on Britain and the Netherlands during the French Revolutionary Wars, a period of conflict between revolutionary France and various European powers. These declarations of war were part of the broader struggle between France and European monarchies, as they sought to contain the revolutionary influence and protect their interests.
  • Committee of Public Safety Formed

    The Committee of Public Safety was established during the French Revolution, serving as a powerful executive body responsible for governing and safeguarding the revolution. It played a pivotal role in the Reign of Terror and the revolutionary government's efforts to maintain control during a period of internal and external threats.
  • New Constitution Proclaimed

    A new constitution was proclaimed during the French Revolution, reflecting the changing political landscape of the time. This constitution marked a significant transformation in France's governance and the principles guiding the nation.
  • Mass Conscription Instituted

    Mass conscription was implemented during the French Revolution, signifying a significant shift in military recruitment. It led to the enlistment of large numbers of French citizens into the army, playing a crucial role in the revolutionary wars and expanding the French military's size and power.
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    Reign of Terror

    The Reign of Terror was a phase of the French Revolution (1793-1794) marked by extreme violence and repression. It involved mass executions, draconian policies, and the dominance of radical Jacobins like Robespierre in their efforts to protect the revolution from perceived threats.
  • Republican Calendar Adopted

    The adoption of the Republican Calendar during the French Revolution replaced the traditional Gregorian calendar and symbolized the revolutionary government's attempt to break from the past. It featured new months and days, aligning with revolutionary ideals, and marked a significant shift in timekeeping during that era.
  • Marie Antoinette's Death

    Marie Antoinette, the former Queen of France, was executed during the French Revolution. Her death by guillotine in 1793 symbolized the end of the monarchy and the radical changes taking place in France during that time.
  • Robespierre Guillotined

    Maximilien Robespierre, a prominent figure during the Reign of Terror in the French Revolution, was executed by the guillotine. His downfall marked the end of his radical leadership and the Reign of Terror, leading to a more moderate phase in the revolution.
  • Robespierre Executed by Guillotine

    Maximilien Robespierre, a big player in the French Revolution, got executed by guillotine on July 28, 1794. He and his crew were arrested and accused of being too harsh during the Reign of Terror. This event ended the Reign of Terror and shifted the revolution toward a calmer phase called the Thermidorian Reaction.
  • Directory Takes Over

    The Directory took control of the French government after the tumultuous period of the French Revolution. This five-member executive body governed France from 1795 to 1799, marking a shift away from the radicalism of the Revolution.
  • Napoleonic Era Begins

    The Napoleonic Era commenced with the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, who seized power in France in 1799. This period marked significant political changes, including the establishment of the Consulate and the eventual emergence of Napoleon as the ruler of France, setting the stage for his imperial rule.
  • Directory Overthrown by Napoleon

    Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew the Directory in a coup in 1799, marking the end of the Directory's rule in France. This event led to the establishment of the Consulate and the consolidation of power by Napoleon, ultimately paving the way for his leadership as First Consul and, later, Emperor.