-
Period: to
Constitutional monarchy
The Moderate bourgeoisie (Girondins) want to abolish the Ancient Régime, have a parliament, selective suffragism (only men with some wealth) and have a constitution. They try to reach an agreement with the monarchy, giving the king the power of veto. -
Storming of the Bastille
About 600 angry Parisians successfully attacked the Bastille and took control of this symbol of tyranny. This event inspired other French people to take up arms against the king and the nobility. The storming of Bastille became a nationlist symbol. It became a central part of their national myth because it said, "We are a nation. We can govern ourselves." It showed how the actions of ordinary citizens can lead to great change. -
The bread march of women
Although the National Assembly had taken the Tennis Court Oath and the Bastille had fallen at the hands of the crowd, the poor women of Paris still found that there was a considerable bread shortage and the prices were very high. Rumors had been spreading in Paris that the royals were hoarding all the grain. A hungry mob of 7,000 largely working-class women decided to march on the Versailles, taking with them all the weaponry they could find. -
Finantial crisis
To solve the finantial crisis, church property is sold. Archbishoprics were abolished. All clergy received salaries from the state, and the average income of bishops was reduced. -
The constitution
The French constitution was created by the National Assembly. It retained the monarchy, but sovereignty effectively resided in the Legislative Assembly, which was elected by a system of indirect voting. About two-thirds of adult men, those who paid a minimal sum of tax money, had the right to vote for electors and other such things. After a lot of debating, the king reluctantly accepted these new rules. He had the power of veto. The constitution lasted less than a year. -
The kings' escape
The royal family was dressed as a wealthy Russian Baronesses' servants and took the royal carriage. Due to the King's indecisiveness the escape was delayed many times. They were about to cross the border when someone recognized Louis from a coin (and from of their extravagant form of transport). They were captured a day later and taken back to Paris. The faith (in the king) of the people was shattered, and he was charged with treason. -
Period: to
Social republic
The betrayal of the king and the invasion leads people to revolt and demand a republic. The radical bourgeoisie (Jacobins) proclaim the Republic. Universal male suffrage. -
Execution of the monarchy
Both Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI are proclaimed as traitors and executed by guillotine. Louis died 9 months before Marie. Their oldest son died under mysterious circumstances while in the care of the radicals. He was most likely murdered. Their only daughter left alive survived well into adulthood. -
Monarchies in Europe are not happy
Because of the murder of the French royalty and the fear of enlightened ideas spreading into their own countries, Monarchies in Europe form an absolutist coalision against France. This made the Jacobins paranoid. -
Mass levy
To defend themselves from the Austrian armies, there was a mass levy. It forced all able-bodied citizens (male) to join the army. -
Second constitution
The Constitution of 1793 was the second constitution made during the French Revolution. It was intended to replace the constitutional monarchy and the Girondin constitution. With plans for democratization and wealth redistribution, the new document promised a significant change from the relatively moderate goals of the Revolution in previous years. However, the Constitution's radical provisions were never implemented. The government put a pause to it, due to the wars. -
Period: to
The Reign of Terror
The radicals got very paranoid because of the constant invasions. To stop spies they suspended all freedoms temporarily. Anyone that was suspected of or opposed the government was imprisoned, tortured and likely executed. Around 20.000 people were killed. -
Period: to
Conservative republic
The moderates took back control of the republic, and they implemented a new moderate liberalism. It was extremely unstable. People wanted the return of the Jacobins and the old aristocracy conspired to return the Monarchy. Absolute monarchies from Europe were still attacking the Republic. -
End of the Reign of Terror
Many people got fed up with the constant murdering of their peers, so they organized a coup and attacked the government. -
Execution of Maximilien Robespierre
Maximilien Robespierre was executed by guillotine. -
Exiled people return
After seeing that they are no longer executing people in such a large scale, people who were exiled begin to return. -
Napoleon
Napoleon Bonaparte saw how unstable France was and seized the opportunity. He led a coup and won. Thus begins the Napoleonic era.
