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The American Revolution
During the American Revolution, the French Helped the Americans to fight the British. The success of the Americans showed that the common people could actually overthrow tyranny and set up a democratic government. This encouraged the French to fight for their own freedom. In fact, the French started their revolution only a few years after the United States of America was born. -
Calling of the Estates-General
To solve the financial problems of the French govt, Louis XVI tried to collect tax from the clergy and the nobles, but both estates refused to pay. The king then called a meeting of the Estates-General. The Estates-General had not meet for more than 170 years.
According to tradition, each estate was to have one vote in the meeting. Representatives of the 3rd Estate thought this voting method was unfair. They wanted every representative to have one vote. The 1st and 2nd Estates objected. -
Tennis Court Oath
When the Third Estate could not get what they asked for, they left the Estates-General and formed the National Assembly. In June 1789, when members of the National Assembly went to their meeting hall, they found that the king had closed it. Thus, they went to a tennis court nearby and took an oath that they would not give up until they had drawn up a constitution for France. This was the famous Tennis Court Oath. -
Fall of Bastille
Louis XVI planned to bring in troops to break up the National Assembly. At that time, many hungry and unemployed people gathered in Paris. When they heard about the king's plan, they attacked the Bastille on 14 July. The Bastille was an old fortress used for keeping political prisoners. It was a symbol of tyranny in France. -
Fall of Bastille (cont.)
The fall of Bastille on 14 July 1789 started the French Revolution. Later, the revolutionaries began to use a tricolour flag of blue, white and red. The three colours stood for the revolutionary ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity. Today the 14th of July has become the national day of France and the tricolour flag the French national flag. -
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The French Revolution
The French Revolution was one of the most important events in modern European history. It broke out in 1789 and lasted ten years. It changed the development of France and also affected the whole of Europe -
Declaration of the Rights of Men
The revolution soon spread throughout France. The National Assembly now ruled over the country and passed laws to remove all privileges of the clergy and the nobles. On 26 August, it adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man.
The Declaration contained many Enlightenment ideas. It emphasised liberty, equality and fraternity. It said that all people were equal before the law, and they had the freedom of speech, of the press and of religion. -
France became a constitutional monachy
In July 1791, the National Assembly drew up a constitution. It set out how France was to be ruled. It allowed Louis XVI to continue ruling as a king, but not as an absolute monarch. People would elect an assembly, and this assembly would have the ruling power. France became a constitutional monarchy. -
Revolutionary Wars (The Battle of Valmy)
The French Revolution worried some European countries such as Austria and Prussia. They were afraid that the revolution would spread to their countries. Thus, they joined together to help the French king in order to end the French Revolution.
To stop them from helping Louis XVI, the revolutionaries declared war on Austria and Prussia in April 1792. The Revolutionary Wars began. Austria and Prussia were soon defeated. -
France became a republic
In September 1792, a new assembly called the National Convention was elected. It ended the monarchy and set up a republic in France. This was the First French Republic (1792-1804). Louis XVI was charged with being disloyal to the country and was executed in January 1793. -
Louis XVI executed
Louis XVI was charged being disloyal to the country and was executed January 1793. -
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Reign of Terror
When France became a republic,almost all European countries joined together to form the First Coalition to fight against France. Revolts also broke out throughout the country. Under these circumstances, some radical revolutionaries,led by Robespierre, gained power. They ruled France with terror. They executed thousands of ppl who did not support the revolution.
The period during which Robespierre ruled France was called the Reign of Terror. The execution of Robespierre ended the Reign of Terror. -
Robespierre executed
In July 1794, Robespierre himself was executed and this ended the Reign of Terror. -
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Directory
In October 1795, a new government was set up, which was called the Directory. France at that time was still faced with internal revolts and foreign invasions. People needed a strong leader to bring back law and order. This gave Napoleon Bonaparte a chance to become a national leader.
In 1799, the Directory ended, and Napoleon rose to power. This was the end of the French Revolution.