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Tennis Court Oath
On June 20, 1789, the newly formed French National Assembly organized to meet at Versailles, but they were unable to get into their meeting room and instead moved to a tennis court, where they took an oath. The Tennis Court Oath was a pledge that the French National Assembly swore that stated that the group wouldn’t disperse until they had finalized their constitution for France. This marked the beginning of the moderate phase of the French Revolution. -
Storming the Bastille
This event is seen by many as the symbol of France. The Bastille was a huge castle with eight towers. The third estate was angry because of the decided to form a committee that would act as a civil militia to keep France in order. The Bastille was stormed by the third estate so that they could find more arms for their militia. -
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Great Fear
The Great Fear occured at the start of the French Revolution. It was a period of panic and riot among the peasants and others because of rumors of a conspiracy by the king and the aristocracy. Peasants began to burn house of nobles and destroy feaudal records. The outburst led to the abolishment of the feudal regime and the adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. (http://www.emersonkent.com/wars_and_battles_in_history/french_revolution.htm) -
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August Decrees
These are a list of 19 decrees made by the French Assembly in response to the overwhelming peasant revolts after the Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. Basically these decrees abolished serfdom and attempted to make all people of France equal under the law, no matter how they were born. Even though the Assembly passed these decrees, they were continuously being changed and the peasants were only appeased for a short time. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
The declaration, though having many advancements for men, had no benefits for women and slaves of the time. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen is a fundamental document of the French Revolution. It states that the rights of men are "universal," meaning that all men should be equal. The different articles of the declaration are influenced by philosophical and political principles from the Age of the Enlightenment. Some characteristics of the articles were particulary influenced by individualism, the Social Contract theorized by Rousseau, and the separation of powers. -
Women’s Bread March
Early on October 5th women gathered in the Parisian markets to march to the Hotel de Ville. They voiced their complaints to the city officials in regard to the bread shortage and the King's move to Versailles. Feeling that the officials would not respond, more than 7000 women marched to Versailles armed with cannons and small weapons. 20,000 National Guards were called to calm the riot but the women stormed the palace killing several guards. -
The King's Move
On October ^th the King and his family moved back to Paris under the protection of the National Guardsmen. This moved showed that the King regognized the revolution. -
Civil Constitution of the Clergy
As a result of the growing resentment towards Catholicism, the Civil Constitution of the Clergy was a law that was passed during the French Revolution that altered the power of the Catholic Church and put the church under the control of the State. The law included several parts. It lessened the number of bishops, created the local election of priests and bishops, and reduced the authority of the pope. -
Constitution of 1791
The political system in France had become corrupt, and there was clearly a need for a constitution. The Constitution of 1791 regulized existing laws and practices. The monarchy was preserved, but royal power had some restrictions. There would be a permanent legislature to make laws. Basically, the Constitution of 1791 created a much needed system of checks and balances. (http://library.thinkquest.org/C006257/revolution/const_1791.shtml) -
Louis' Escape
Louis tried to escape from France after a failed attempt to create a counter revolution. He was found and brought back to France. Louis was then confined to a palace.This flight produced charges of treason, and ultimately led to his execution in1793. -
Declaration of Pillnitz and War!
This declaration was made by Leopold II and Frederick William II of Prussia. They basically said that if the revolutionaries continued to limit Louis XVI's power and revolt againist the French government, then they would ask all of Europe to step in to allow Louis to regain control. The French Assembly took this to mean that Austria was declaring war on France and in response, declared war on April 20, 1792.
