-
Period: to
The Enlightenment
European politics, philosophy, science and communications were radically reoriented during the Enlightenment. Enlightenment thinkers in Britain, in France and throughout Europe questioned traditional authority. The French Revolution was directly inspired by Enlightenmnet ideals. -
Period: to
The American Revolution
France entered the American Revolution on the side of the colonists in 1778, turning what had essentially been a civil war into an international conflict. After French assistance helped the Continental Army force the British surrender at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781, the Americans had effectively won their independence -
France enters a financial crisis
-
Calling of the Estates General
In July 1787 Comptroller-General Lomiene de Brienne, asked the Parlement du Paris to register the tax on property of all three estates. The Parlement refused and France entered a year of intense conflict between the royal government and the parlements. On July 5, 1788, with the government at a standstill, and in spite of his misgivings, Louis XVI gave in to the demands of the nobility and issued an edict calling the Estates General to meet in May 1789. -
Tennis Court Oath
The Third Estate was locked out of its meeting room as preparations were being made for a royal session of all three estates. Confused and angry, the delegates met instead at an indoor tennis court on the palace grounds and signed an oath not to disband until they had drawn up a new, fair constitution for France. -
Storming of the Bastille
The Paris mob was determined to arm itself due to presence of foreign troops in the streets of Paris. They attacked the Bastille, an old fortress prison which had long been viewed as a sumbol of the king's absolute authority. The mob attacked the Bastille and released the seven prisoners inside. -
The National Assembly
-
The Great Fear
The Great Fear spread across the country. Once the revolutionary spirit seized control of the people of Paris, people in surrounding areas began to demand cheaper bread and suspension of feudla dues. Civil unrest grew in the countryside, with many peasants attacking manor homes. Aristocratic property was destroyed by the peasantry. From July 20 to August 5, 1789, hysteria spread across the country, but was gradually put down by militias that imposed law and order. -
Declaration of Rights of Man
The Declaration of the Rights of Man asserted the political and social equality of all men, the sovereignty of the people, and the natural right to liberty, property, security, and resistance to opposition. It was considered a very radical document during the period in which it was created. -
National Assembly Takes Control of Land Owned by Church
The National Assembly took control of the land previously owned by the church in an attempt to both give power to itself and take control away from the Church. -
The Royal Family Flees
Unrest in Paris in the spring of 1791 convinced the Roysl fsmily to flee. With the help of a loyal friend, Count Axel von Fersen, an escape was organized. When they reached Varennes, they were recognized and National Guardsmen escorted them back to Paris through jeering crowds. -
Declaration of Rights of Women
Olympe de Gouges wrote and published the "Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Citizen." Modeled on the 1789 "Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen" by the National Assembly, de Gouges' Declaration echoed the same language and extended it to women, as well. -
Constitution of 1791
French constitution created by the National Assembly during the French Revolution. It retained the monarchy, but sovereignty effectively resided in the Legislative Assembly, which was elected by a system of indirect voting. -
France Goes to War
On April 21, 1792, the French government declared war on Austria. As Prussia was allied with Austria, France found itself fighting a war against both countries. -
Louis XVI is Sentenced to Death
After six weeks of debate in the National Convention, with the Girondins wanting clemency for the king, whereas the Jacobins wanting to execute him. On January 21, 1793, the French government sent its former king to the guillotine. -
Execution of Marie Antoinette
In the middle of October, the queen was summoned before the Tribunal to be tried, no time being given to her to prepare any defense, while her enemies had craftily made all their plans to condemn her. For instance, a commission had even been sent to the Temple, to question her. -
Robespierre becomes the leader of the Committee of Public Safety
In December 1793, the Convention formally conferred executive power upon the Committee, and Robespierre established a virtual dictatorship. -
Execution of Robespierre
Robespierre was arrested on July 27 and executed the next day. In month of Thermidor in the new French calendar, Robespierre was deserted by his supporters, accused of being a tyrant. Robespierre wanted to extend emergency powers, but others felt that the emergencies were over and wanted to return to regular administration. -
The Directory Emerges
Directory, group of five men who held the executive power in France according to the constitution of the year III (1795) of the French Revolution. They were chosen by the new legislature, by the Council of Five Hundred and the Council of Ancients; each year one director, chosen by lot, was to be replaced. -
Napoleon's Coup D'etat
Napoleon rapidly rose through the ranks of the military during the French Revolution (1789-1799). After seizing political power in France in a 1799 coup d'état, he crowned himself emperor in 1804. -
Women's March on Versailles
The rumors of Louis XVI's offensive court party spreads throughout the streets of Paris. Women lead a march to Versailles to demand bread. The mob forces the royal family to return to Paris with them.
