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Creation of the National Assembly
The third estate voted to form the national assembly. They did this to create laws that would benefit the majority instead of the nobility. Louis XVI locked them out of their meeting hall, so they broke into a tennis court in Versailles and established the Tennis Court Oath. This was significant because it was the first act against the government and it signified the start of the revolution. -
Storming of the Bastille
Rumors began that there were military forces coming to France. A mob of citizens looking for arms to defend themselves raided the Bastille. They killed several guards including the commander and then put their heads on spikes and paraded them around for all to see. It was the first violent act of the revolution, and it became a symbolic act of the revolution, even having a holiday dedicated to it in modern times. -
Women March on Versaille
Thousands of Parisian women were upset about the government and the rising cost of food. They attacked the palace of Versailles, and demanded something be done about the cost of bread. They demanded Louis XVI leave Versailles and go to Paris, never to return. This was significant because it signaled that the people were starting to gain control of the country and that the kings power was now partly subject to the people. -
Louis XVI Tries to Flee
As the Assembly grew more and more powerful, Louis XVI felt he as in danger. He disguised himself and his family as servants and attempted to run to the Austrian Netherlands. He was stopped and returned to Paris. This was significant because it lessened his influence and made public opinion of him even less favorable. -
Approval of a New Constitution
The National Assembly passed the constitution that they had set out to create two years earlier. It created a limited monarchy. This gave more of the power to the people and they newly created Legislative assembly, who had the power to make new laws. -
France Declares War
Austria and Prussia were vocally in support of Louis XVI regaining the throne. They pledged that they would see it happen. Driven by a desire to spread their revolutionary ideals and to keep Louis XVI off of the throne, France declared war on Austria and Prussia. This was significant because the opening of the war went badly and contributed to public unrest in France, which would eventually lead to the Jacobins taking control. -
Jacobins Take Control
Led by the radical group the Jacobins, a new governing body called the National Convention took power. They dismissed the National Assembly's constitution. They declared France a republic, officially abolishing the monarchy. This was significant because it ended absolute rule in France. -
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The Reign of Terror
Jacobin member Robespierre took control of the National Convention. He began a reign where he executed anyone who he believed threatened him or the revolution, often with meager evidence or cause. Most of the people he executed were members of the lower class, whom the revolution was started to benefit. This was significant because it soured public opinion of the radical Jacobins and paved the way for a moderate government to have public approval. -
National Convention Drafts New Plan of Government
After the fall of the Jacobin party, the public was in favor of a moderate government. So the National Convention formed a new legislature with two houses and an executive body called the Directory. This provided a period of welcome governmental stability. -
Napoleon Takes Power
Over the period of the Directory's rule, France was in a perpetual state of warfare. Their victories were led by the general Napoleon Bonaparte. When he returned from the front and found the government had fallen out of favor, he staged a coup with two of his allies. This marked the end of the French Revolution. -
