A Timeline of the French Revolution

  • King Louis XVI Convenes the Estates General Assembly

    King Louis XVI Convenes the Estates General Assembly
    Due to bad harvests and costly wars, Louis is forced to bring together representatives of the three estates to raise taxes.
  • Period: to

    National Assembly Government

    A Revolutionary government led by the Third Estate.
  • The Tennis Court Oath

    The Tennis Court Oath
    The National Assembly resolves not to disband until it has written a constitution.
  • Storming of Bastille

    Bastille is stormed and taken by a Paris mob.
  • Period: to

    The Great Fear

    Peasants attack noble manors.
  • Formation of Jacobin Club

    The nobles of the National Assembly renounce feudal rights.
  • The Issuing of the Declaration of the Rights of Man

    The Issuing of the Declaration of the Rights of Man
    The National Assembly issues the Declaration of the Rights of Man.
  • Period: to

    King Louis Moves from Versailles to Paris

    Louis moves from Versailles to Tuileries palace in Paris.
  • Period: to

    Louis Flees

    Louis escapes to Austria, but is caught at Varennes.
  • Period: to

    Legislative Assemly Government

    A Constitiutional Government led by elected officials.
  • Legislative Assembly Government Collapse

    Paris mob storms royal palace, and the MInister o Justice Danton purges thousands of presumed traitors.
  • Period: to

    National Convention Government

    Government based around electing universal male suffrage to rewrite constitution.
  • France Becomes a Republic

    France Becomes a Republic
    The National Convention abolishes monarchy and declares France a Republic.
  • Revolutionary Calendar Introduced

    Revolutionary Calendar Introduced
    The calendar has completely new day and month names. Day 1 is September 22nd, 1792.
  • Execution of King Louis XVI

    Execution of King Louis XVI
    The National Convention condemns and executes the King
  • Counter-Revolutionary Revolt

    A revolt in the Vendee region begins.
  • "Reign of Terror" Begins

    "Reign of Terror" Begins
    The "Reign of Terror" by the Committee of Publi Safety (Robespierre) begins.
  • The Government Takes Complete Control

    Price controls, dechristianization, and administrative reform are all put in place by the government.
  • Robespierre is Executed

    The "Reign of Terror ends in the month of "Thermidor".
  • Churches Reopen

    Christian churches reopen to the public.
  • Directory Government is Formed

    After a new constitution is adopted, the Derectory government is established.
  • Period: to

    Directory Government

    The new government contains two houses: the Council of Ancients and the Council of 500.
  • Coup d'etat Removes Royalists from the Directory

    The Coup d'etat (a government takeover) removes royalists (people faithful to the monarchy) from the government.
  • End of the French Revolution

    Napoleon's coup d'etat abolishes Directory government and establishes Consulate government.