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Estates-General Meeting
Louis XVI and his wife spent so much money that they were faced with a problem. Queen Marie had spent her their money on gowns, jewelry and gifts. Louis however, instead of cutting expenses, imposed taxes on the nobility. The Second Estate forced him to have a meeting so the Estates-General meeting was called. Representatives from all three estates assembled to approve the new tax. -
Tennis Court Oath
The deputies of the Third Estate met at an indoor tennis court in Versailles. They met here in defiance of King Louis XVI. Here they made an oath to not break up until a new constitution had been created. They later declared themselves as the National Assembly. -
March On the Bastille
An crowd marched on Bastille. Many were frustrated and used it as a way to vent. People in France believed that it was a symbol of hatred towards King Louis and his reign. The troops in Bastille held the angry mob off for a while but a few hours later, they surrendered. -
Flee to Varennes
Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette felt as though they were prisoners in their own palace so they decided to leave Paris. They made it to Varennes before they were recognized and were forced to return. This had been disappointing to the National Assembly considering the new Constitution had just come out. -
Start of the Legislative Assembly
Once the Constitution came into place, the National Assembly was replaced with the Legislative Assembly. It became the new political body. Not one member of the National Assembly was allowed to be elected into the Legislative Assembly, resulting in not much political experience. -
Declaration of War
At this point many other countries had been watching the change take place in France and they started to fear that similar things would happen to their countries. Countries like Austria and Prussia too action by urging King Louis to become the only ruler again. Responding to this, the Legislative Assembly declared a war. -
Tuileries Attack
On August 10th, 1792, thousands of people attacked the Tuileries Palace. The crowd of 20,000 had been angry about the flee of King Louis and Queen Marie Antoinette. The King and Queen however, had escaped and placed themselves under protection. The Assembly placed them under arrest, fearing more violence. -
The Trial of King Louis
King Louis was charged with treason. On this day, Louis was brought into town to be decapitated. His wife, Queen Marie Antoinette later that year, was charged for numerous crimes and decapitated also.
