-
The Opening of the Estates General
The French economy had declined due to various wars. To deal with this decline, King Louis XVI called upon the Estates General, which included the clergy, nobility, and commoners. They discussed new taxes that would be enforced upon the commoners. -
Period: to
Reform
The French Revolution started with reforms to the monarchy. France became a constitutional monarchy with the National Assembly. After this didn't work, more serious reforms took place with the fall of the monarchy. This period ended with the execution of King Louis XVI. -
Period: to
French Revolution
A turning point in European history where the social, economic, and political structures of France went through great changes. The revolution was driven by discontentment with King Louis XVI's rule, economic hardship, and unrest within the lower classes. Enlightenment ideas encouraged the revolution. -
The Tennis Court Oath and Fall of the Estates General
The representatives of the 3rd Estate, the non-nobility of France, were locked out of the meeting place after debates about equality in representation. They then formed the National Assembly and signed the Tennis Court Oath, which bound the 3rd Estate until a constitution was created for France. -
The Storming of the Bastille
People stormed the Bastille as a retaliation to the fear of a military coup. The Bastille represented the monarchy and kept political prisoners. This day marked the end of the Ancien Regime and Paris leaving King Louis XVI's control. -
The Declaration of the RIghts of Man and Citizen
A document, similar to the American Decloration of Independence, listing the grievances the 3rd estate had with France's nobility. King Louis XVI refused to sanction this document, leading to The Women's March on Versailles. -
The Women's March on Versailles
After King Louis XVI's refusal to sanction the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, common women were extremely angered. This anger caused them to march from Paris to Versailles and bring King Louis the XVI back to Paris. -
The Revolutionary Wars
The revolutionaries thought that Austria would try to help King Louis XVI regain his power. They declared war on Austria to prevent this. -
The Establishment of the French Republic
The leaders of the revolution met up and abolished the monarchy after debates about the constitution. This established the French Republic. After this, the revolutionaries arrested King Louis XVI. -
The Execution of King Louis XVI
King Louis XVI is charged with treason for his relations with Austria. He is then publicly executed on 1-21-1793. -
Period: to
Reign of Terror
This period of the French Revolution was the most violent. It is characterized by the executions of French citizens, that did not agree with Maximillian Robespierre's ideology, by use of the guillotine. Robespierre was executed by guillotine on 7-27-1794, ending the Reign of Terror. -
The Directory Takes Power
Robespierre is overthrown and executed after the people were discontent with his actions during the Reign of Terror. This gave a chance for the 5 person directory to become a bicameral legislature. -
Napoleon's Takeover
Napoleon Bonaparte led a military coup de tat and overthrew the directory. He then named himself the emporer of France.