-
MEETING OF THE ESTATES-GENERAL
As a result of public pressure, Louis XVI called the representatives to meet at Versailles. The representatives brought lists of grievances to share with the king in the hope of encouraging political change. Little was settled during these meetings, due to disagreements between the king and the three estates. -
Period: to
FRENCH REVOLUTION TIMELINE
-
CREATION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
After the failure of the meeting of the Estates-General, many of the representatives of all three estates proclaimed themselves to be the National Assembly. -
TENNIS COART OATH
The king locked the members of the self-proclaimed National Assembly out of their regular meeting room and they assembled at a nearby tennis court. There, they swore not to disband until France had a constitution in what became known as the Tennis Court Oath -
STORMING OF THE BASTILLE
The king refused to recognize the legitimacy of the National Assembly. He assembled royal troops near Paris. Rumours of an attack by the king spurred crowds to storm the Bastille to release prisoners and collect weapons to use for defense. -
CREATION OF THE DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF MAN AND OF THE CITIZEN
In 1789, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was passed by the National Assembly. It described the rights of individuals and guiding democratic principles. -
MARCH ON VERSAILLES
In October 1789, several thousand people marched to Versailles to protest the high price of bread. The protesters discovered the plans of the royal family to flee France. They forced the king and his family to return to Paris, where they would have less opportunity to escape. -
Period: to
REIGN OF TERROR
Facing civil unrest across the country, the revolutionary government led by Robespierre, arrested and executed up to 40000 perceived enemies of the republic in what became known as the Reign of Terror. -
EXECUTION OF LOUIS XVI
Louis XVI was tried and found guilty of treason by the new republic. He was sentenced to death on the guillotine. -
EXECUTION OF MARIE ANTOINETTE
Marie Antoinette, wife of Louis XVI, was arrested and tried for a number of charges including treason. She was found guilty and executed. -
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE LEADS A SUCCESSFUL COUP AND BECOMES LEADER OF FRANCE
Napoleon's successful overthrow of the Directory led to new leadership by the organizers of the Coup, who wasn't himself, they were Abbé Sieyès and Roger Ducos. Napoleon manipulated the situation and was ultimately elected as the first consul.