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Estates-General
Louis XVI formed the Estates-General, an assembly that was made up of three estates, that each represented a portion of the population. This was done in a last attempt to try and save France from their financial crisis, because initially the nobles did not have to pay taxes. However the third estate held 98% of the population and was still outvoted by the other two estates. -
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Introduction/Conclusion
The purpose of my timeline is to be able to give a detailed explanation of the most crucial events throughout the French Revolution. It illustrates the causes of the revolution and all of the political to social changes that were generated because of it. -
The Tennis Court Oath
The third estate met by themselves in an indoor tennis court and created the national assembly, vowing to not disperse until constitutional reform had been achieved. -
Siege of Bastille
Panic began to ensue as rumors of a military coup began to rise. This led to rioters storming the Bastille fortress in a attempt to get weapons and gunpowder. -
Declaration of Rights
The assembly votes to abolish the rights of feudalism, created the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. A human civil rights document from the French Revolution. -
Women's March on Versailles
Otherwise known as the October March or the March on Versailles, began among women in the marketplace, who began to riot over the high price and scarcity of bread. They were soon joined by revolutionists and the march grew into thousands. They besieged the palace, forcing the king to their demands and for him to come back with them to Paris. This illustrated the change of power and that the nobles no longer were in control of France. -
King's Flight to Varennes
Now having the power in France, the national constituent assembly attempted to create a monarchical regime where powers were shared between the King and its assembly. This did not work however because King Louis XVI was weak and governed by his advisors. On June 21st he attempted to flee the country to Austria dressed as a servant with his family; however, he was found in Varennes and sent back to France. -
French Constitution
The French constitution was created, it was the first constitution in France and was created after the fall of the monarchy. -
Assembly Declares War
The assembly declares war on Austria and Prussia because it thought that French emigres were building counterrevolutionary alliances, they also hoped to spread its revolutionary ideals across Europe through warfare and the war begins. -
Tuileries Palace
Defining moment of the French Revolution, when French revolutionaries in Paris who were in conflict with the French monarchy, stormed the Tuileries Palace and arrested the King, suspending his powers and orders the election of a new government. -
National Convention
The legislative assembly was replaced by the National Convention because the assembly was threatened by an armed uprising if they did not comply. This signified the end of the monarchy and the beginning of the french republic. -
Battle of Valmy
French Army defeated the Prussians at the battle of Valmy -
Louis XVI Executed
Louis XVI was put before the convention twice under trial in late 1792, but it was not until the next year that he would receive his verdict. In January the convention finds Louis XVI guilty of high treason and crimes against the state. He is executed at the Place de la Concorde at 10:22. -
New Constitution
Ratification of a new constitution under the National Convention -
Law of Suspects
The convention puts in a new law of suspects, which permits the arrest and trial of anyone who is suspected of opposing the revolution. It also marked the beginning of The Reign of Terror was a period of time when series of massacres, and public executions took place. -
Marie-Antoniette Executed
Marie-Antoniette is brought before the convention and found guilty and charged with treason. She was executed and guillotined on the Place de la Revolution. -
Robespierre
The government conventioned votes for the arrest of Robespierre, but he is freed by his supporters and begins a counter attack. However he is wounded by soldiers loyal to the convection and brought to trial. He and his brother are guillotined. Following his death the convention reorganized the government into sixteen different committees. -
France's Bi-camerial Legislature
The National Convention, approves a new constitution that created France's first bicameral legislature. This led to the Directory replacing the National Convention as the rule, and was seen as a time with economic problems, inefficiency and public discontent. -
Coup d'etat
The Directory was in power for four years, until Napoleon Bonaparte led the Coup d'etat, which was the sudden overthrow of the government. This established Napoleon as France's “first consul” and marked the end of the French Revolution.
