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Louis XVI calls Estates into session
The nobility, or the Second Estate wasn't content with King Louis XVI's attempt to tax their estate. The Second Estate wanted to pass the cost again on the Third Estate, or the commoners of France. -
Estate-General meets in Paris
King Louis XVI calls the Estate-Generals into session to approve a new tax on the Third Estate. This group of representatives had not met in 175 years prior to this event. -
3rd Estate refused to abide by King Louis' order
The Third Estate wanted to change the voting process. They proclaimed themselves a legislature, which soon became the Natioinal Assembly, with the right to make laws for France. -
Tennis Court Oath
The representatives from the Third Estate met at the Tennis Court to show that they were not defeated by the king's actions. They did not leave the court until they had written a constitution for France. King Louis XVI eventually gave in. -
The Storming of the Bastille
The people of France viewed the huge medieval building, which is known as the Bastille, as a powerful sign of the people's oppression. The Bastille is also a very significant symbol of the French Revolution. -
The Great Fear Begins
After the fall of the Bastille, many people were shocked by what they have done. They were afraid that King Louis XVI would punish them and end the Revolution. This led to some people spreading rumors about the king hiring foreign soldiers to punish the Third Estate. -
National Assembly ends Feudalism
The National Assembly had eliminated all the feudal dues and services that the peasants owed the landowners. The Assembly also eradicated the First Estate's legal privileges. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
The Declaration of the Rights of Man lays out the basic principles of the French Revolution, which is 'liberty, equality, and fraternity.' It is also inspired by the English Bill of Rights, the American Declaration of Independence, and the writings of Enlightenment philosophers. -
Women of Paris march to Versailles for bread
To make peace with the mob, Louis agreed to return to Paris and live in the Tuileries Palace with his family. The departure of the royal family encouraged the Revolution's leaders to take riskier actions and eventually led to passing many anticlerical laws. -
King & family flee from Varennes
Since the New Constitution harshly restricted the king's power, King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette believed that they were insecure. Therefore, they disguised themselves and fled to Paris. However, they were recognized and escorted back to Tuileries Palace. -
New Constitution adopted
The National Assembly took control of church lands and sold them to pay off France's severe debt. The Assembly also passed an act that changed the clergy into public emplyees. This enraged the First Estate and terrified many peasants as well. -
Beginning of Legislative Assembly
The National Assembly created a new legislative body, which is known as the Legislative Assembly. Citizens also gained a broad range of voting rights, but only taxpaying men who are at least 25 years of age had the right to vote. -
Royal Family must not be harmed...
The finantial strain of war, food shortages and high prices, and foreign troops marching toward Paris led to unrest in the city. As a result, many people blamed the army's defeat on King Louis XVI. -
Storming of the Tuileries Palace
A Parisian mob marched to Tuileries Palace and sent Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette to prison. The Legislature Assembly soon voted itself out and requested for an election of a new legislature, which became the National Convention. One of their first acts were to cease the monarchy and announce France a republic. -
Monarchy is officially abolished
Revolutionary Government votes to abolish the monarchy and establish the first Republic. The royal family is imprisoned. -
French defeat foreign invaders
France turns the tide of the war and takes the offense against invaders who are attempting to preserve the French monarchy. -
Execution of King Louis XVI in Paris
The Montagnards were eager to try and execute the king in order to prevent a return of the monarchy and defend the Revolution from enemies. Louis XVI made an attempt to make a speech to declare his innocence, but it was unsuccessful and he eventually was beheaded by the guillotine. -
Committee of Public Safety established
This committee was established to manage France's military defense against foreign forces on its borders. It created a draft of all suitable, unmarried men between the ages of 18 and 25 for military service. -
Beginning of Reign of Terror - Law of Suspects passes
This marked a significant weakening of individual freedoms that led to "revolutionary paranoia" that swept across the nation. The Law of Suspects ordered arrest of all acknowledged enemies of the Revolution, including the First and Second Estates. -
End of Reign of Terror - execution of Robespierre
Maximilien Robespierre and his followers, who were the first to casue the Reign of Terror, eventually fell victim to the guillotine, themselves. Despite the many deaths and relentless violence that took place, it created much unease and conflict in other countries towards the Revolution. -
Creation of the Directorate
The new governing board was called the Directory. It was not an effective government and because the directors were weak and corrupt, France's issues were not resolved. Since the directors did not get along well, their rule eventually became very similar to the Old Order. -
Napoleon named First Consul
Even though France was still a republic, Napoleon had become a dictator. French citizens had been through enough warfare to willingly give up some of their freedoms, with the mindset that Napoleon was able to bring peace, prosperity, and glory to France. -
Coronation of Napoleon as Emperor
As Pope Pius VII was about crown Napoleon as emperor of France, Napoleon grabbed the crown from the pope and placed it on his head. This told the world that no body handed Napoleon's power to him. He simply took it for himself.
