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Louis XVI calls for the Estates General to meet.
The political and financial situation in France had grown rather bleak, forcing Louis XVI to summon the Estates General. This assembly was composed of three estates – the clergy, nobility and commoners – who had the power to decide on the levying of new taxes and to undertake reforms in the country. -
Representatives from the three Estates meet at Versailles.
This assembly was composed of three estates – the clergy, nobility and commoners – who had the power to decide on the levying of new taxes. -
Louis XVI has the Third Estate locked out of the Estates General meeting
The National Assembly was formed when the 3rd estate was locked out of the Estates-General meeting by King Louis. -
Third Estate takes the Tennis Court Oath.
On 20 June 1789, the members of the French Third Estate took the Tennis Court Oath (French: Serment du Jeu de Paume) in the tennis court. -
Louis XVI calls for the National Assembly to meet to create a constitution
He ordered the three estates to meet together as the National Assembly and vote, by population, on a constitution for France. -
The people of Paris storm the Bastille.
a state prison on the east side of Paris, known as the Bastille, was attacked by an angry and aggressive mob. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
helped to form the foundation of the French Revolution, in hopes of ending the monarchy and establishing a democracy in France. -
The Wives’ March; Louis “kidnapped” back to Paris
A rumor had spread that there was stock of flour with the king and the queen during those days of famine. -
Clergy instructed to swear allegiance to France.
the National Constituent Assembly ordered the clergy to take an oath declaring their support of the nation's constitution. -
The women of Paris arrest Louis XVI and take him back to Paris.
Louis was officially arrested on August 13, 1792 and sent to the Temple, an ancient Paris fortress used as a prison.