The French Revolution

By kaligomez

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    The Estates General were called to a meeting be by King Louis XVI to try to solve the monarchy's financial crisis. The Third Estate formed their own National Assembly because the financial crisis affected them the most, and they feared being overruled by the nobility and clergy. They then pledged a 'Tennis Court Oath' and vowed to remain there until a new constitution was formed.

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    An angry crowd marched on the Bastille as a symbol to their hatred for Louis' reign, and for some of the angry, hungry, and unemployed Parisians it was a place ti vent their frustrations. At first they tried to resist, but eventually they surrendered causing the fall of the Bastille

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    A large crowd of hungry, unemployed, and restless Parisians marched to the Palace of Versailles because they believed the royal family and nobility were living in luxury, when in reality they were experiencing the same hardships. The Parisians forced the King and Queen, who they despised, to go back to Paris with them and "live among the people", to which he conceded.

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    The National Assembly continued working on a new constitution for France, including limiting the King's power. King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette did not agree with the restrictions but could not veto them, so they fled to seek refuge in Austria, but they were recognized in a town a few miles outside of the border. Before his attempt to leave, the King wrote a manifesto denouncing the Revolution. This was devastating for the NA because the King and most of the people were against it.

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    The new constitution was finished and came into effect, proclaiming France as a constitutional monarchy. The National Assembly was replaced by the Legislative Assembly, and none of the previous members of the National Assembly were elected to be on the new legislative.

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    War was the top issue in the new legislative assembly. European monarchies viewed the French Revolution with fear and anger, especially to the Austrian monarchy. The people of France supported the war for varying reasons. Louis XVI, as well as other monarchists, wanted war because they believed foreign armies could overthrow their government. Revolutionaries wanted war because they thought it would unify the nation and spread the ideas of the Revolution. War was declared on Austria in April 1792

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    The French found themselves in a difficult situation when the Austrian army and its Prussian allies advanced into French territory, causing economic stagnation throughout the country. The Legislative Assembly became divided and Paris was becoming radicalized. 20,000 people attacked the Tuileries Palace, the King and Queen were put under arrest by the Assembly for their protection. Months later, many french citizens fled for their lives and the "September Massacre" occurred.

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    After the King and Queen's arrest, the Legislative Assembly was replaced by the National Convention. The new political bodies first act was to declare France as a republic while the French military halted the foreign attacks. King Louis XVI was charged with treason and was unanimously proven guilty. The vote was closer, but he was also given the death penalty. On January 21, 1793 he was driven through the streets and decapitated. Marie Antoinette faced the same fate on October 16th, 1793.