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King Louis XVI calls 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 Third 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. -
3rd Estate Refused to Abide by the King's One Vote for each Estate Order
The 3rd Estate was given this new sense of importance by the ideas of the Englightenment philosophers. This event was one of the first signs of rebellion and disagreement on French government. -
Tennis Court Oath
Representative of the Third Estate met in an indoor tennis court to swear the Tennis Court Oath, which was that they would not leave until they had written France's consitution. In response, Louis allowed each representative to have a vote. -
The Storming of the Bastille
The mob of Parisians who stormed the Bastille, killed the commander, stuck his head on a stick, and paraded it through the streets was significant because it became a powerful symbol of the French Revolution and it proved how serious the rebels were and that they really could fight back against the monarchy. -
Great Fear Begins
After storming the Bastille, people were scared of how the king would punish them and rumors were spread that the king had hired foreign soldiers to punish the Third Estate, leading to the Great Fear. This was important because it sparked the Revolution and led to many people taking revenge on landowners and nobles. -
National Assembly Abolishes Feudalism with August Decrees
The August Decrees were important because they were supposed to calm the people of France and encourage them towards civility. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
The Declaration of the Rights of Man were important because they set laws or morals that the French should live by, like the U.S. Bill of Rights. -
Women of Paris March to Versailles for Bread
This was a significant event in the French Revolution because it formed out of another mistake made by Louis, to call troops to Versailles to protect his throne, resulting in 7,000 women marching to Versailles and breaking into the palace, demanding bread. -
Royal Family's Flight from Varennes
The royal family's attempt at escaping Paris was significant because it's purpose was to initiate a counterrevolution and to allow the king to start a military campaign to restore his rule, both of these things failed and the family was only able to make it to Varennes. -
New Constitution Adopted
This was an extremely significant event in the French Revolution because King Louis XVI finally accepts the new constitution despite his reluctance. -
Beginning of Legislative Assembly
This was important because citizens gained broad voting rights and the king's power was severely restricted. -
Brunswick Manifesto Warns that Royal Family Must Not Be Harmed or Else
This was important because it led to Austria sending 50,000 troops to the French border and the Legislative Assembly declaring war in response.This led to the defeat of France's army and high unrest. -
Storming of the Tuileries Palace
This was important because it led to the Louis, Marie-Antoinette, and the children being thrown into prison and an end to the monarchy. -
French Monarchy is Officially Abolished
Revolutionary Government votes to abolish the monarchy and establish the first Republic. Royal family imprisoned. -
French Defeat Foreign Invaders (Austria and Prussia) Who Are Attempting to Preserve the Monarchy
France turns the tide of the war and takes the offensive against the invaders. -
The Execution of King Louis XVI in Paris
The execution of King Louis XVI was important because it was a symbol of the end of the monarchy and the power being transferred to the people. -
Committee of Public Safety Established
The Committee of Public Safety was important because it defended France against its enemies. -
Law of Suspects Passes - Beginning of the Reign of Terror in France
This Reign of Terror was a significant time in French history because anyone who was suspected to be against the revolution was arrested and killed. -
End of the Reign of Terror - Execution of Robespierre
This was important because it granted a new life for the people of the 3rd Estate. -
National Convention is Dissolved and the Creation of the Directorate
The Directorate is created in which there was an executive branch of five directors. -
Napolean named First Consul
This was an important event because it was during a time of poverty and corruption in France. -
Coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor of France
This was an important event because it defined the empire of France, also the French were very accepting of this empire.
