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Estates General
A meeting of the Estates-General was called by Louis XVI in Versailles to discuss and approve a new tax plan. -
Sympathetic Members of 1st & 2nd Estate join the 3rd
Three Poitevin curés decide to join the Third Estate, leaving the Chambers of the Clergy. Accepting the proposition of the delegate Abbé Sieyès, the Third Estate proclaims itself "The National Assembly." A few liberal nobles and many clergy join the movement of the Third Estate. Tennis Court Oath: After being locked out of their meeting room, deputies of the Third Estate assembled on a tennis court and swore not to separate until a constitutional regime was established. -
July 7 - 13 National Assembly
The National Assembly appoints a committee of thirty members to draft a constitution. The National Assembly proclaims itself the Constituent National Assembly, with full authority and power to decree laws; their primary task is to draw up and adopt a constitution. Necker is dismissed. Demonstrations and speeches take place at the Palais–Royal. The electors of Paris form a standing committee and a citizens’ militia. -
Storming of the Bastille
The storming and fall of the Bastille. -
Feudalism Ends
The end of feudalism and serfdom in France was announced by the National Assembly. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
The Declaration of the Rights of Man was issued by The National Assembly. -
March to Versailles
October 5,1789 - The women of Paris invaded Versailles. Parisians, led by a large number of women, march upon Versailles and force the royal family back to Paris, where they take up residence at the Tuileries. Louis XVI is considered by many a "Prisoner" in Paris. The Assembly, still in Versailles, declares, in the spirit of constitutional monarchy, its inseparability from the king. -
Civil Constitution of the Clergy
Civil Constitution of the Clergy1790 - The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was passed. -
The Constitution of 1791 is Adopeted
1791 - The Constitution of 1791 was adopted. -
Louis XVI and Marie Antionette flee France
June 20,1791 - Louis XVI and his family were arrested while trying to flee from France but were arrested. -
France declares war on Austria
April 20, 1792 - France declared war on Austria. -
National Convention meets for the first time.
September 1792 - The First meeting of the National Convention was held. -
Louis XVI on Trial
December 1972 - Commencement of the trial of Louis XVI. -
Louis XVI sentenced to guillotine
January 21, 1793 - Louis XVI sentenced to the guillotine. -
A National Draft is issued.
August 1793 - A National Draft was issued calling for all able-bodied men to enlist in the army. -
The Reign of Terror
September 1793
to July 1794 - The Reign of Terror court sentenced 20,000 to 40,000 people to death. -
Robespierre Arrested
July 27, 1794 - The National Convention arrested Robespierre. -
Robespierre Executed
July 28, 1794 - Robespierre was beheaded. -
A New Constitution Adopted
1795 - A new Constitution was adopted. -
Napoleon challenges the Directory
1799 - The fall of the Directory heralds the end of the French Revolution.