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Financial Crisis
The French monarchy had been misspending for years and it had caught up with them. After the Seven Years War and supporting the Americans in the American Revolution, France was in financial trouble. The country was going bankrupt. However, the nobility and clergy seemed not to notice. They continued their luxurious lives spending people’s tax money without concern, while people from the Third estate were starving and struggling. This resulted in the Third estate being angry. -
Estates General Meeting
King Louis XVI had realized the money problem in France and called for a meeting of all three estates. The King proposed taxing the poor more money to get money for the country however, the Third estate was completely opposed. In order to ensure the vote would be in favour of the King's idea, he locked the representatives of the Third state out of Versailles, therefore they could not vote. This resulted in the members of the Third estate meeting together alone. -
The Tennis Court Oath
After the members of the Third estate were locked out of Versailles and unable to vote, they went to a neighbouring tennis court and named themselves the National Assembly. They said that they represent the people of France and will not separate until they make a constitution for the country. This resulted in them making the constitution. -
The Storming of the Bastille
The Bastille was a fortress holding guns, ammunition, and a couple prisoners. It was a symbol of the monarchy in Paris. On July 14th, 1789 a crowd of people stormed the Bastille demanding the guns and ammunition it held. They then took apart the building brick by brick, symbolizing the destruction of the monarchy and the anger of the Parisian people. This resulted in the French Revolution. -
The Great Fear
There was panic and fear throughout France. People were scared King Louis would eventually punish them and end the Revolution. They wanted to keep moving forward and advancing in the Revolution however, the people were scared things wouldn't change and the Revolution would end. It was a general panic that swept through the Nation. This resulted in riots in many small towns in France. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
The National Assembly of France approved the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen on August 26th, 1789. The French Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen was a platform of inalienable, basic rights that every person should be granted. This resulted in a platform for further French equality rights and freedoms. -
Women's March to Versailles
Women were angry about the increasingly high prices of bread and that the royal family did not live in Paris. In protest these women marched from Paris to Versailles where the royal family lived, and confronted King Louis XVI. This march resulted in the royal family moving to Paris and giving all of the bread in the palace to the crowd of women. -
Flee to Varennes
Louis XVI attempted to leave France because he was afraid the monarchy was about to lose all power. Louis had a clever plan to flee France and escape to Montmédy where Marie, his wife, had a close friend that would take him in. There he would organize counter attacks to regain power in the monarchy. However, his attempt to flee France was destroyed when news of the escape came to a small French town called Varennes. This resulted in Louis being sent back to Paris. -
War Against Austria
Many people in France wanted there to be a war. The Revolutionists believed war would unite the country and spread ideas of Revolution across Europe. The monarchy wanted a war because they thought the new government would be easily defeated and the people of France would want the monarchy back in power. The war resulted in the French being victorious, however, many citizens in France saw this war as unnecessary and a waste of money. -
Fall of the Monarchy
The radical Jacobins were gaining more power in Paris and overthrowing the monarchy became a very good idea to the French people. On August 10th the citizens invaded the Tuileries Palace in Paris and took the royal family hostage. They were not injured however, their power was diminished. As a result the monarchy in France was gone. -
Louis XVI Executed
Louis was put on trial and sentenced to death on January 20th and the next day he was executed. This was a historic event because it marked the end of the monarchy in France and the death of the last monarch. Overall, King Louis was a bad ruler. He married a foreigner, he attempted to abandon his people, and he did nothing to solve his country's problems like high prices on foods. All of these mistakes resulted in him being executed. -
Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror was a period of time in France where, the government was trying to cleanse the population of all of the non-Revolutionists. People were encouraged to turn in others they thought were against the Revolution. This time saw 300 000 people imprisoned and 27 000 dead. It was a common belief that the guillotine, which was the device used to kill people, was "dreadful but necessary." This resulted in fear throughout the nation. -
Marie Antoinette Execution
After the execution of King Louis, Marie Antoinette was put on trial and charged with treason against her country. She was one of the last symbols of the monarchy. While imprisoned she suffered torture and psychological abuse. She was eventually executed on October 16th, 1773. This resulted in the death of one of the last monarchs. -
Robespierre Execution
After a year of fear, one day Robespierre refused to share the execution list, spreading paranoia. The next day he was imprisoned and on July 27th, he unsuccessfully attempted to commit suicide. On July 28th, 1794 Robespierre was executed resulting in the end of the Reign of Terror. I think Robespierre realized that he was the cause of the Reign of Terror and he had executed 27 000 people. This must have been overwhelming and drove him to a failed suicide and eventually execution. -
Napoleon Concurs France
Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military general who led a coup d'état or a Revolution which was successful. He eventually declared himself Emperor of France in 1804 and created new laws that improved the quality of life in France. Napoleon taking power in 1799 resulted in the end of the French Revolution.
