The Events of the The Events of the French RevolutionFrench Revolution
The Financial CrisisThe Financial Crisis
The government of France was bankrupt The government of France was bankrupt and was facing a serious financial crisis.and was facing a serious financial crisis.
The crisis resulted from:The crisis resulted from:– An inefficient and unfair tax structure, which An inefficient and unfair tax structure, which
placed the burden of taxation on those least placed the burden of taxation on those least able to pay, the third estateable to pay, the third estate
– A drained treasury which was the result of:A drained treasury which was the result of: Aiding the Americans during the American RevolutionAiding the Americans during the American Revolution Long wars with EnglandLong wars with England OverspendingOverspending
Where is the Money?Where is the Money? In this cartoon from the time, Louis is looking at the In this cartoon from the time, Louis is looking at the
chests and asks chests and asks “Where is the tax money?““Where is the tax money?“– The financial minister, Necker, looks on and says The financial minister, Necker, looks on and says ““The The
money was there last time I looked." money was there last time I looked." – The nobles and clergy are sneaking out the door The nobles and clergy are sneaking out the door
carrying sacks of money, saying carrying sacks of money, saying "We have it.""We have it."
Calling the Estates GeneralCalling the Estates General
The King attempted to solve the financial The King attempted to solve the financial crisis by removing some of the nobles' tax crisis by removing some of the nobles' tax exemptions. exemptions. – However, the nobility saw themselves as However, the nobility saw themselves as
special, with better blood, and entitled to all of special, with better blood, and entitled to all of their class privileges. their class privileges.
– The The ParlementParlement, a judicial organization , a judicial organization controlled by the nobility, invoked its powers to controlled by the nobility, invoked its powers to block the King's move. block the King's move.
He was forced reluctantly to call a meeting He was forced reluctantly to call a meeting of the Estates General to be held in May of the Estates General to be held in May 1789.1789.
The three estates were encouraged to The three estates were encouraged to bring their complaints and suggestions bring their complaints and suggestions to the Estates General. to the Estates General.
This opening up of censorship created This opening up of censorship created excitement throughout France that excitement throughout France that things were going to change for the things were going to change for the better in a dramatic way.better in a dramatic way.
Delegates for the Third Estate in Delegates for the Third Estate in particular gathered together the particular gathered together the complaints of local people.complaints of local people.
The meeting of the Estates General May 5, 1789
To Vote by Head or by OrderTo Vote by Head or by Order
The delegates of the third estate insisted The delegates of the third estate insisted that the three orders meet together and that the three orders meet together and that each individual person should vote, that each individual person should vote, rather than each estate having only one rather than each estate having only one vote. vote.
Since there were far more delegates from Since there were far more delegates from the third estate, this plan would give them the third estate, this plan would give them a majority. a majority.
The King refused to grant their request.The King refused to grant their request. The third estate refused to budge. The third estate refused to budge.
What Is the Third Estate?What Is the Third Estate?
""What is the Third EstateWhat is the Third Estate?"?" asked Abbe asked Abbe Sieyes. Sieyes. "Everything!“"Everything!“
This liberal clergyman rallied the This liberal clergyman rallied the commoners of France to assert their power commoners of France to assert their power and take charge of the Estates General. and take charge of the Estates General. – At his suggestion, they declared themselves At his suggestion, they declared themselves
the National Assembly and invited the other the National Assembly and invited the other two orders to join them.two orders to join them.
– The next day they found their meeting hall The next day they found their meeting hall locked. locked.
– At the suggestion of one of the delegates they At the suggestion of one of the delegates they moved to a nearby indoor tennis court. moved to a nearby indoor tennis court.
Mounier’s SuggestionMounier’s Suggestion
““Let us swear to Let us swear to God and our country God and our country that we will not that we will not disperse until we disperse until we have established a have established a sound and just sound and just constitution, as constitution, as instructed by those instructed by those who nominated us.”who nominated us.”
-M. Mounier -M. Mounier
The Tennis Court OathThe Tennis Court Oath
The delegates agreed and all but one of The delegates agreed and all but one of the 578 delegates signed it.the 578 delegates signed it.– Their oath is known as the Tennis Court Oath.Their oath is known as the Tennis Court Oath. – It said: It said: "The National Assembly, considering "The National Assembly, considering
that it has been summoned to establish the that it has been summoned to establish the constitution of the kingdom... decrees that all constitution of the kingdom... decrees that all members of this assembly shall immediately members of this assembly shall immediately take a solemn oath not to separate... until the take a solemn oath not to separate... until the constitution of the kingdom is established on constitution of the kingdom is established on firm foundations..."firm foundations..." June 20, 1789June 20, 1789
The Tennis Court Oath by Jacques Louis David
King Asks Third Estate to King Asks Third Estate to DisperseDisperse
Hearing of the oath, the King called a Hearing of the oath, the King called a meeting of all three orders.meeting of all three orders.– At the end of the meeting he ordered the third At the end of the meeting he ordered the third
estate to disperse. estate to disperse. – They refused. They refused.
One of the delegates declared that One of the delegates declared that ""We We are here at the will of the people, . . . and . are here at the will of the people, . . . and . . . shall not stir from our seats unless . . shall not stir from our seats unless forced to do so by bayonetsforced to do so by bayonets."."
Third Estate TriumphsThird Estate Triumphs
The King was unwilling to use force The King was unwilling to use force and eventually ordered the first and and eventually ordered the first and second estates to join the new second estates to join the new National Assembly. National Assembly.
The Third Estate had won.The Third Estate had won. On the 27On the 27thth of June the whole of the of June the whole of the
National Assembly met together.National Assembly met together.
Conditions in ParisConditions in Paris Conditions were poor in Paris for the common Conditions were poor in Paris for the common
people. people. – The price of bread was high and supplies were short The price of bread was high and supplies were short
due to harvest failures.due to harvest failures.– Rumours spread that the King and Queen were Rumours spread that the King and Queen were
responsible for the shortagesresponsible for the shortages Then French troops marched to the capital as the Then French troops marched to the capital as the
King tried to show that he was still in control. King tried to show that he was still in control. – Rumours spread quickly among the already restless Rumours spread quickly among the already restless
mobs that the King was intending to use them against mobs that the King was intending to use them against the people. the people.
– The dismissal of the Finance Minister Necker, who was The dismissal of the Finance Minister Necker, who was popular with the third estate, ignited the spark. popular with the third estate, ignited the spark.
Mobs Search for WeaponsMobs Search for Weapons
Mobs roamed in search of weapons. Mobs roamed in search of weapons. – Although some muskets were found Although some muskets were found
when they broke into a public hospital when they broke into a public hospital for wounded soldiers, there was no for wounded soldiers, there was no ammunition. ammunition.
– The ammunition was stored in the The ammunition was stored in the Bastille. Bastille.
The Storming of the BastilleThe Storming of the Bastille
On July 14, 1789, the mob, joined by On July 14, 1789, the mob, joined by some of the King's soldiers, stormed some of the King's soldiers, stormed the Bastille.the Bastille.
The commander of the Bastille, de The commander of the Bastille, de Launay, attempted to surrender, but Launay, attempted to surrender, but the mob would not accept it. the mob would not accept it. – He was killed as they poured through He was killed as they poured through
the gates. the gates. – No guard was left alive. No guard was left alive.
The Bastille as a medieval fortress
The Fall of the Bastille
Liberated PrisonersLiberated Prisoners
Later in the day the prisoners were Later in the day the prisoners were released. released.
There were only seven and none of There were only seven and none of them were political prisoners.them were political prisoners.
Nevertheless it was a great symbolic Nevertheless it was a great symbolic event, one which is still celebrated in event, one which is still celebrated in France every year. France every year.
Liberated prisoners parading later in the day
The Great FearThe Great Fear
By the end of July and beginning of By the end of July and beginning of August there were riots in the August there were riots in the countryside. countryside.
Peasants burned their nobles' Peasants burned their nobles' chateaux and destroyed documents chateaux and destroyed documents which contained their feudal which contained their feudal obligations. It was called "The Great obligations. It was called "The Great Fear." Fear."
Burning chateaux as the peasants riot in the countryside
The Night of August 4The Night of August 4
The National Assembly responded to the The National Assembly responded to the Great Fear. On the Night of August 4, Great Fear. On the Night of August 4, 1789, one by one members of the nobility 1789, one by one members of the nobility and clergy rose to give up their feudal and clergy rose to give up their feudal rights. In one night feudalism was rights. In one night feudalism was destroyed in France. destroyed in France.
The National Assembly on the night of August 4, 1789
Medallion commemorating the Night of August 4, the end of feudalism in France
The National AssemblyThe National Assembly
The new National Assembly created the The new National Assembly created the historic and influential document historic and influential document The Declaration of the Rights of Man, , which stated the principle that all men had which stated the principle that all men had equal rights under the law.equal rights under the law.
This document has remained the basis for This document has remained the basis for all subsequent declarations of human all subsequent declarations of human rights.rights.
The Declaration was approved on 26The Declaration was approved on 26thth of of August.August.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
Declaration of the Rights of Declaration of the Rights of ManMan
"Men are born free and "Men are born free and equal in their equal in their rights....These rights are rights....These rights are liberty, property, security liberty, property, security and resistance to and resistance to oppression. oppression.
The fundamental source The fundamental source of all sovereignty resides of all sovereignty resides in the nation. in the nation.
The law is the expression The law is the expression of the general will. All of the general will. All citizens have the right to citizens have the right to take part personally, or take part personally, or through representatives, through representatives, in the making of the law." in the making of the law."
Women’s March to Women’s March to VersaillesVersailles
On October 5, 1789, a crowd of On October 5, 1789, a crowd of women, demanding bread for their women, demanding bread for their families, marched toward Versailles. families, marched toward Versailles.
When they arrived, soaking wet from When they arrived, soaking wet from the rain, they demanded to see "the the rain, they demanded to see "the Baker," "the Baker's wife," and "the Baker," "the Baker's wife," and "the Baker's boy". Baker's boy".
The King met with some of the women The King met with some of the women and agreed to distribute all the bread and agreed to distribute all the bread in Versailles to the crowd. in Versailles to the crowd.
Women's march to Versailles
The King’s Return to ParisThe King’s Return to Paris
Under pressure Under pressure from the National from the National Guard, the King Guard, the King also agreed to also agreed to return to Paris return to Paris with his wife with his wife and children. and children.
It was the last It was the last time the King time the King saw Versailles. saw Versailles.
The Flight to VarennesThe Flight to Varennes
Although the King reluctantly accepted the Although the King reluctantly accepted the new constitution, he could not accept all new constitution, he could not accept all the reforms and decided to leave the the reforms and decided to leave the country. country.
On June 20, 1791, the King and his family On June 20, 1791, the King and his family set out for the border in a carriage. set out for the border in a carriage. – The King was disguised as a steward and his The King was disguised as a steward and his
son was wearing a dress. son was wearing a dress. – At the border village of Varennes, he was At the border village of Varennes, he was
recognized and eventually caught. recognized and eventually caught.
The apprehension of Louis XVI at Varennes
The New ConstitutionThe New Constitution
Despite the King’s falling popularity, Despite the King’s falling popularity, the new constitution still recognised the new constitution still recognised his authority. His power was severely his authority. His power was severely limited, but Republicans were not limited, but Republicans were not satisfied.satisfied.
The new constitution was passed in The new constitution was passed in September 1791 and all the September 1791 and all the members of the National Assembly members of the National Assembly stepped down from power.stepped down from power.
The Paris MobThe Paris MobThe news of the King's flight destroyed the The news of the King's flight destroyed the
last of the King's popularity with the people last of the King's popularity with the people of Paris. of Paris.
The popular press portrayed the royal family The popular press portrayed the royal family as pigs and public opinion plummeted. as pigs and public opinion plummeted.
Increasingly there were demands for an end Increasingly there were demands for an end to the monarchy and the creation of a new to the monarchy and the creation of a new kind of government, a republic. kind of government, a republic.
Republic: Republic: a system of government in a system of government in which the country is run by people which the country is run by people elected to their position instead of a elected to their position instead of a king.king.
The Parisian Mob
The San-CulottesThe San-Culottes
At the beginning of the revolution, the At the beginning of the revolution, the working men of Paris allowed the working men of Paris allowed the revolutionary bourgeoisie to lead them. revolutionary bourgeoisie to lead them.
But by 1790 the sans-culottes were But by 1790 the sans-culottes were beginning to be politically active in their beginning to be politically active in their own right. own right. – They were called sans-culottes (literally, They were called sans-culottes (literally,
without trousers) because the working men without trousers) because the working men wore loose trousers instead of the tight knee wore loose trousers instead of the tight knee breeches of the nobility. breeches of the nobility.
– Eventually sans culottes came to refer to any Eventually sans culottes came to refer to any revolutionary citizen.revolutionary citizen.
The sans culottes The bourgeoisie
Attack on the Tuileries Attack on the Tuileries The royal family was living under house The royal family was living under house
arrest in the Tuileries Palace. arrest in the Tuileries Palace. An angry mob got into the building on An angry mob got into the building on
June 20, 1792, and found their way to June 20, 1792, and found their way to the King. the King. – The crowd shouted insults and was in an The crowd shouted insults and was in an
ugly mood. ugly mood. – The King remained calm and obediently put The King remained calm and obediently put
on the red cap of liberty (a symbol of on the red cap of liberty (a symbol of revolution) at the mob's insistence. revolution) at the mob's insistence.
– The incident ended without bloodshed but The incident ended without bloodshed but by August the mob was back.by August the mob was back.
Mob placing the red cap of liberty on the King's head at the Tuileries
August 10, 1792, attack on the Tuileries
The End of Constitutional The End of Constitutional MonarchyMonarchy
On August 10, 1792, the mob attacked On August 10, 1792, the mob attacked the Tuileries again. the Tuileries again. – This time the royal family barely escaped This time the royal family barely escaped
with their lives. with their lives. – The king's guards were killed and the King The king's guards were killed and the King
and his family fled to the protection of the and his family fled to the protection of the Assembly. Assembly.
The constitutional monarchy was over.The constitutional monarchy was over.
Spreading the Gospel of Spreading the Gospel of Revolution Revolution
The French Revolution took on the The French Revolution took on the character of a religious crusade. character of a religious crusade.
It was not enough to have a It was not enough to have a revolution at home. The gospel of revolution at home. The gospel of revolution must be spread to the rest revolution must be spread to the rest of Europe. of Europe.
France declared war on Prussia and France declared war on Prussia and Austria and proclaimed that it Austria and proclaimed that it advanced the cause of liberty. advanced the cause of liberty.
The French FlagThe French Flag
The Marquis de The Marquis de Lafayette, commander Lafayette, commander of the new National of the new National Guard, combined the Guard, combined the colors of the King colors of the King (white) and the colors (white) and the colors of Paris (blue and red) of Paris (blue and red) for his guardsmen's for his guardsmen's uniforms and from this uniforms and from this came the Tricolor, the came the Tricolor, the new French flag. new French flag.
The Marseillaise The Marseillaise Arise you children of our motherland, Arise you children of our motherland, Oh now is here our glorious day ! Oh now is here our glorious day ! Over us the bloodstained banner Over us the bloodstained banner Of tyranny holds sway ! Of tyranny holds sway ! Of tyranny holds sway ! Oh, do you hear there in our Of tyranny holds sway ! Oh, do you hear there in our fields fields The roar of those fierce fighting men ? The roar of those fierce fighting men ? Who came right here into our midst Who came right here into our midst To slaughter sons, wives and kin.To slaughter sons, wives and kin.
CHORUSCHORUS To arms, oh citizens ! To arms, oh citizens !
Form up in serried ranks ! Form up in serried ranks ! March on, march on ! March on, march on ! And drench our fields And drench our fields With their tainted blood! With their tainted blood!
The September MassacresThe September Massacres
The country was involved in a foreign war. The country was involved in a foreign war. The new government had declared war The new government had declared war
against the powerful Austria and in the against the powerful Austria and in the beginning it did not go well for France. beginning it did not go well for France.
Complicating matters was the fact that Complicating matters was the fact that counter-revolutionary Frenchmen were counter-revolutionary Frenchmen were working with Austria in the hopes of working with Austria in the hopes of turning back the revolution. turning back the revolution.
In France people saw counter-In France people saw counter-revolutionaries everywhere. revolutionaries everywhere.
Georges-Jacques DantonGeorges-Jacques Danton
Georges-Jacques Danton, a revolutionary Georges-Jacques Danton, a revolutionary leader and a powerful orator, rose in the leader and a powerful orator, rose in the Assembly on September 2nd 1792 and Assembly on September 2nd 1792 and boomed out these memorable words in his boomed out these memorable words in his deep bass voice: deep bass voice: "When the tocsin sounds, "When the tocsin sounds, it will not be a signal of alarm, but the signal it will not be a signal of alarm, but the signal to charge against the enemies of our to charge against the enemies of our country. . . To defeat them, gentlemen, we country. . . To defeat them, gentlemen, we need boldness, and again boldness, and need boldness, and again boldness, and always boldness; and France will then be always boldness; and France will then be saved." saved."
Georges-Jacques Danton: "Boldness and again boldness, and always boldness"
Let the blood of the traitors Let the blood of the traitors flowflow
Danton probably meant boldness in Danton probably meant boldness in fighting the war against Austria. But fighting the war against Austria. But many took his words to refer to enemies many took his words to refer to enemies within France. within France.
The radical press took up the cry, The radical press took up the cry, "Let "Let the blood of the traitors flow,"the blood of the traitors flow," and and within hours of Danton's speech the within hours of Danton's speech the streets of France did indeed run with streets of France did indeed run with blood. blood.
By September 7, over 1000 were dead. By September 7, over 1000 were dead.
PropogandaPropoganda Throughout the revolution, propaganda Throughout the revolution, propaganda
was used to try and convince people to was used to try and convince people to follow a particular course of action.follow a particular course of action.
There were a number of radical There were a number of radical newspapers who openly encouraged newspapers who openly encouraged violence against anyone who did not violence against anyone who did not support the revolution.support the revolution.
Radicals like Jean-Paul Marat declared to Radicals like Jean-Paul Marat declared to the people of Paris that, the people of Paris that, ‘Five or six ‘Five or six hundred heads cut off [would assure their] hundred heads cut off [would assure their] repose, freedom and happiness.’repose, freedom and happiness.’
Republic DeclaredRepublic Declared
1792: The constitutional monarchy 1792: The constitutional monarchy put in place by moderate put in place by moderate revolutionaries gave way to a radical revolutionaries gave way to a radical republic. republic.
This republic was led by the This republic was led by the Jacobians, a radical group from Paris.Jacobians, a radical group from Paris.
The Execution of Louis XVIThe Execution of Louis XVI The National Convention decided to put The National Convention decided to put
Louis on trial for his crimes. Louis on trial for his crimes. – Although his guilt was never an issue, there Although his guilt was never an issue, there
was a real debate in the Convention on was a real debate in the Convention on whether the king should be killed. whether the king should be killed.
– They voted for his execution. They voted for his execution. – Robespierre said, Robespierre said, ‘It is with regret that I ‘It is with regret that I
pronounce the fatal truth: Louis ought to perish pronounce the fatal truth: Louis ought to perish rather than a hundred thousand virtuous rather than a hundred thousand virtuous citizens; Louis must die that the country may citizens; Louis must die that the country may live’live’
On January 23, 1793 Louis XVI went to the On January 23, 1793 Louis XVI went to the guillotine. guillotine. – At the scaffold he said At the scaffold he said "I forgive those who are "I forgive those who are
guilty of my death." guilty of my death."
Execution of King Louis XVIExecution of King Louis XVI
The execution of Louis XVI
The Reign of TerrorThe Reign of Terror After the death of Louis in 1793, the Reign After the death of Louis in 1793, the Reign
of Terror began. of Terror began. – Marie Antoinette led a parade of prominent and Marie Antoinette led a parade of prominent and
not-so-prominent citizens to their deaths. not-so-prominent citizens to their deaths. – The guillotine, the new instrument of equal The guillotine, the new instrument of equal
justice, was put to work. justice, was put to work. Public executions were considered Public executions were considered
educational. Women were encouraged to sit educational. Women were encouraged to sit and knit during trials and executions. and knit during trials and executions.
The Revolutionary Tribunal ordered the The Revolutionary Tribunal ordered the execution of 2,400 people in Paris by July execution of 2,400 people in Paris by July 1794. Across France 30,000 people lost 1794. Across France 30,000 people lost their lives. their lives.
A British cartoon on the A British cartoon on the violence of the Terrorviolence of the Terror
Watch CommitteesWatch Committees The Terror was designed to fight the The Terror was designed to fight the
enemies of the revolution, to prevent enemies of the revolution, to prevent counter-revolution from gaining ground. counter-revolution from gaining ground.
Most of the people rounded up were not Most of the people rounded up were not aristocrats, but ordinary people. aristocrats, but ordinary people. – A man (and his family) might go to the A man (and his family) might go to the
guillotine for saying something critical of the guillotine for saying something critical of the revolutionary government. revolutionary government.
– Watch Committees around the nation were Watch Committees around the nation were encouraged to arrest encouraged to arrest "suspected persons, ... "suspected persons, ... those who, either by their conduct or their those who, either by their conduct or their relationships, by their remarks or by their relationships, by their remarks or by their writing, are shown to be partisans of tyranny writing, are shown to be partisans of tyranny and federalism and enemies of liberty"and federalism and enemies of liberty" ( (Law of Law of SuspectsSuspects, 1793). , 1793).
Suspension of Civil LibertiesSuspension of Civil Liberties
– The promises of the Declaration of the Rights of The promises of the Declaration of the Rights of Man were forgotten. Man were forgotten.
– Terror was the order of the day. In the words of Terror was the order of the day. In the words of Maximilien Robespierre, Maximilien Robespierre, "Softness to traitors "Softness to traitors will destroy us all."will destroy us all."
"Terror is "Terror is nothing other nothing other than justice, than justice, prompt, severe, prompt, severe, inflexible"inflexible"
Maximilien Robespierre
Republic of Virtue Robespierre was the mastermind of Robespierre was the mastermind of
the Reign of the Reign of Terror. Terror. – He was the leader of the Committee of Public He was the leader of the Committee of Public
Safety, the executive committee of the Safety, the executive committee of the National Convention, and the most powerful National Convention, and the most powerful man in France. man in France.
– He explained how terror would lead to the He explained how terror would lead to the Republic of Virtue in a speech to the National Republic of Virtue in a speech to the National Convention: Convention: “If the spring of popular “If the spring of popular government in time of peace is virtue, the government in time of peace is virtue, the springs of popular government in revolution springs of popular government in revolution are at once are at once virtue and terror: virtue and terror: virtue, without virtue, without which terror is fatal; terror, without which which terror is fatal; terror, without which virtue is powerless. Terror is nothing other than virtue is powerless. Terror is nothing other than justice, prompt, severe, inflexible...” justice, prompt, severe, inflexible...” Speech on Speech on TerrorTerror
The Last Victim of the Reign of The Last Victim of the Reign of TerrorTerror
Even the radical Jacobins, the supporters of Even the radical Jacobins, the supporters of Robespierre, come to feel that the Terror Robespierre, come to feel that the Terror must be stopped. must be stopped. – Danton rose in the Convention calling for an end to Danton rose in the Convention calling for an end to
the Terror. He was its next victim. the Terror. He was its next victim. – When Robespierre called for a new purge in 1794, When Robespierre called for a new purge in 1794,
he seemed to threaten the other members of the he seemed to threaten the other members of the Committee of Public Safety. Committee of Public Safety.
The Jacobins had had enough. The Jacobins had had enough. – Cambon rose in the Convention and said Cambon rose in the Convention and said “It is time “It is time
to tell the whole truth. One man alone is paralyzing to tell the whole truth. One man alone is paralyzing the will of the Convention.the will of the Convention. And that man is And that man is RobespierreRobespierre.”.”
– Others quickly rallied to his support. Others quickly rallied to his support. – Robespierre was arrested and sent to the guillotine Robespierre was arrested and sent to the guillotine
the next day, the last victim of the Reign of Terror. the next day, the last victim of the Reign of Terror.
The Directory The Directory People had grown tired of the People had grown tired of the
instability and bloodshed of the instability and bloodshed of the revolution and were ready for revolution and were ready for something more moderate. something more moderate.
By 1795, the republic was gone, and 5 By 1795, the republic was gone, and 5 men with business interests had the men with business interests had the executive power in France. executive power in France.
This new government was called The This new government was called The Directory.Directory.– It was far more conservative than the It was far more conservative than the
Jacobin republic had been.Jacobin republic had been.– It was also ineffectual.It was also ineffectual.
Napoleon BonaparteNapoleon Bonaparte
The people readily The people readily accepted the coup accepted the coup d'etat of Napoleon d'etat of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1799. Bonaparte in 1799.
The revolution was The revolution was over. Or was it?over. Or was it?
17741774Louis XVI took the Louis XVI took the
throne at the throne at the age of 19. age of 19.
20 June 1789The National
Assembly was formed at the Tennis
Court Oath.
14 July 1789The people of Paris stormed the Bastille, a much hated
prison that symbolized autocratic rule. The Revolution
had begun.
27 August 1789National Assembly
adopted the Declaration of the
Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
Guaranteed the rights of “liberty, property,
security, and resistance to
oppression” to all people.
October 1789The Great Fear, Peasants rioted.5 October: Women marched to Versailles and demanded that Louis and Marie Antoinette
come to Paris.
September 1792The September Massacres: over a thousand people who were seen as being against the Revolution were killed.
10 August 179220,000 Parisians invaded the Royal Palace, Louis, Marie Antoinette and their children were Imprisoned.
21 September 1792
The National Convention abolished the monarchy and declared France a Republic. All adult male citizens were granted the right to vote and hold office. Women were not given the same rights.
January 1793 Louis was no longer king, The radical Jacobins tried
Louis for treason and found him guilty. He was sentenced to death and died on the 21
January 1793
February 1793Great Britain, Holland and Spain joined Prussia and Austria in fighting France. The National Assembly drafted 300,000 French citizens into the army.
20 -25 June 1791The King and his family tried to flee the country,
but were caught and brought back to Paris.
April 1793Revolution leader Maximilien Robespierre sets out to gather power into his own hands. He becomes the leader of the Committee of Public Safety. He decides who should be considered an enemy of the republic. The committee had people tried and executed in the same day.
16 October 1793Marie Antoinette executed. Revolutionary courts declared death sentences on those that challenge Robespierre.
October1793-July 1794 Robespierre governed France nearly as a dictator. This period became known as the Reign of Terror. Approximately 3,000 were executed in Paris. As many as 40,000 died across France.
July 1794The National Committee turned on Robespierre, claiming that he is a tyrant.He was executed on 28 July
1795Moderate leaders in the National Convention draft a new Constitution. It creates a two house legislature and an executive body of five men, known as the Directory. Napoleon Bonaparte chosen to lead France’s armies.
SourcesSources
Adapted from Adapted from Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité: The Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité: The French Revolution French Revolution by Jennifer Brainard. See by Jennifer Brainard. See http://www.historywiz.com/frenchrev-mm.htm
Slide on timeline of revolution from: Slide on timeline of revolution from: www.pascack.k12.nj.us/.../www.pascack.k12.nj.us/.../TimelineTimeline%20of%20the%20%20of%20the%20FrenchFrench%20%20RevoluRevolu......
Quotations from Robspierre and Marat Quotations from Robspierre and Marat taken from M. Moran, taken from M. Moran, Madame Madame TussaudTussaud. 2011.. 2011.
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