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The Estates General
To combat the Nation's tax difficulties, Louis XVI called a meeting of the Estates General. -
The Storming of the Bastille
The commoners, outraged at the actions of the nobility and desperate for weapons, stormed the Bastille, a prison. They tore it to pieces. -
Constitution of 1791
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen is adopted into a new constitution for France. It does not last long. -
The Beheading of Louis XVI
After Louis attempts to flee the country, the National Assembly decide he must be punished. They settle on beheading the king via guillotine. -
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Reign of Terror
Robespierre, in his position as head of the Committee for Public Safety, puts to death thousands of people accused of being traitors. -
Napoleon's Coup
Napoleon, a young, charismatic general, overthrows the corrupt Directory and takes control of France. This is considered to be the end of the French Revolution.