-
Period: to
The French Revolution
A time in France that changed its course in history, ending the monarchy and establishing more freedoms, liberty, and equality ever expected by the people of France. -
Louis calls the Estates-General
This was a meeting forced by the Second Estate because King Louis XVI wanted to impose taxes on the nobility to solve economic issues. There was almost no money left and that was the kings solution. The meeting was an assembly of representatives from all three estates to aprove this new tax. It was held at Versailles and was the first of this type of meeting in 175 years. The significance of the meeting was that it lead to an uprising in third estate which then pressed for more equality. -
Tennis Court Oath
Three days after the forming of the National Assembly, the Third Estate delegates were locked out of their meeting room. Instead they broke into an indoor tennis court and pledged not to leave until they had a new constitution drawn up, The significance is that it caused some members of the clergy and nobles to join them and it scared the King enough to have him station a mercenary army of Swiss guards outside of Versailles as protection, -
Storming of the Bastille
Angry citizens of France broke into the Bastille which was a local prison that didn't often hold more than 8 prisonoers but held ammunition which is just what they needed. Angered mobs became violent and cut off the head of the main guard, the significance is found in amounst all the violence which started on that day. Bastille day is now celebrated in France every year like the 4th of July in America. -
Declaration of Rights of Man
Passed by France's National Assembly, this document listed the human rights of men in the country. It allowed men liberty, equality, and many freedoms but left out women all together, The revolutionary leaders also adopted "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity as their main slogan to motivate the people. The significance of this was that the Declaration of Rights of Man ended fuedal opportunities and the Old Regime for sure this time. -
Louis's Trial
King Louis was the first king ever put on trial for death and successfuly executed, I think thats pretty significant. He had to stand and defend his case in front of the National Assembly and was found guilty of many crimes including purgery. He then was killed by the guillotine. -
Robespierre comes to power
Maxililien Robespierre was a Jacobin leader who came to power during the terror. He and his supporters wanted to make a "republic of virtue" by forcing out France's past. He then became leader of the Committee of Public Safety which was meant to protect the Revolution from its enemies or anyone who didn't support it. He saw a connection between virtue and terror and his practical dictatorship became known as the Reign of Terror. This is significant because the end of him meant the end of the Rev -
The Terror
Robespeirre's reign became known as the Terror. This was a time France where 16,000 people were killed by the guillotine for the least severe charges brought up against them. It scared all citizens of France and the ones to go were said to be against the revolution. The significance of this event was that it added severe fear to a countries people who already were facing war and any other trying issues, this just pushed them over the edge, -
Robespierre killed
Its only appropriate that the man who started the Terror would go out in the same way. He killed by the guillotine after going too far and then having his own little trial. The significance is that when he died the French Revolution came to an end.
