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Nobility forces King Louis XVI to call the Estates General into session
The King was in trouble. The nobility was not happy with his attempt to tax their estate. Nobility wanted to pass the cost once again on the Thrid Estate. -
Estate-General meets in Paris
King Louis XVI calls body into session to approve a new tax on the 3rd Estate. Had not met in 175 years. -
Third Estate Refuses
Members of the Third Estate declared themselves the National Assembly of France. They offered to join forces with other estates to write the national constitution. -
Tennis Court Oath
The National Assembly of France made an oath on a tennis court that stated, that when the system of government in France was broken, the people had the right to create a new government. -
The Storming of the Bastille
Parisians stormed an ancient prison, called the Bastille, looking for arms and ammunition. -
Great Fear Begins
Peasants heard rumors that their crops and houses were going to be destroied by the King so they statred ransackeing castels of the nobles and burned important documents. -
National Assembly abolishes Feudalism
Nobles gave up their rights and titles. Made the country more balanced and took away some taxes. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
The Declaration of the Rights of Man layed the groundwork for the issues of equality, freedom of speech, and taxation. Became founding document of modern day France. Also layed the groundwork for the seperation of powers. -
Women of Paris March to Versailles
A large number of women marched upon Versailles and forced the Royal Family back to Paris where then the family went to the Tuileries. -
Royal Family's Flight from Varennes
While Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and their children are trying to flee France they are arrested at Varennes and brought back to Paris. The Constituent Assembly suspends the King. -
New Constitution adopted
First written Constitution on France. Adopting constitutionality and establishing popular sovereignty. -
Beginning of Legislative Assembly
Allowed citizens to have a little more freedom through voting rights about taxes. It kept the Monarchy but limited power. -
Manifesto Warning
Brunswick Manifesto warns the Royal Family not to be harmed or they'll take action. The treat drove the revolutionariess to take further action. All it did was create fear and anger. -
Stormning of the Tuileries Palace
An angry mob invaded the Tuileries Palace and killed it's guards. Then forced King Louis XVI to leave, and sent Marie Antoinette with their children to jail. -
French Monarchy is officially abolished
Revolutionary Government votes to abolish the monarchy and establish the first Republic. Royal family is imprisoned. -
French defeat foreign invadors
France turns the tide of the war and taxes the offensive against the invaders. -
Execution of King Louis XVI
King gave his last speech before put into a guillotine and then his head was put onto a stake. This portaryed the apsolute end of the Old Order. -
Committee of Public Safety Established
Formed as an administrative body to supervise and expedite the work of the executive bodies of the convention and of the government ministers appointed by the convention. -
Law of Suspects passes
Authorized the creation of revolutionary tributes to try those suspected of treason against the Republic and to punish those convicted with death. -
Execution of Robespierre
The execution of Robespierre ended his dictatorship and the power of the government was restored to the convention. -
Creation of the Directorate
Small board of five men passed some financial reforms that helped farmers and improved much needed trade. -
Napoleon named First Consul
He reorganized his armies and restructed his defense. Got back what France lost. Was in great position to take over France. -
Coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor of France
Napoleon crowned himself and sent a message through that saying he answers to nobody else but himself.
