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Meeting of General Estates
King Louis XVI summoned the First, Second and Third Estates for a meeting. The purpose was to create a resolution for the current state of France. The result of the meeting was the breaking away of the Third Estate and forming of the National Assembly. This event was one of the most significant during the French Revolution because it signifies a period of time where one group felt they were treated so poorly that they decided to branch off from the traditional government system. -
Tennis Court Oath
After being locked out of their meeting room by King Louis XVI, the National Assembly decided to meet in an indoor tennis court located in Versailles. There, they pledged to stay until they had written a new constitution for France. This pledge soon became known as the Tennis Court Oath. The Tennis Court Oath was significant during the French Revolution because The National Assembly is becoming more serious and concrete about the idea of revolutionizing the government of France. -
Storming of the Bastille
With rumors floating about KIng Louis using the military to dismiss the National Assembly, the people of Paris felt they need to arm themselves. So, they invaded the Bastille, a French prison, and raided their cache of arms. The attackers also killed many guards, cut off their heads, and ran around with their heads mounted on pikes. This event is important because the French people were clearly going against the monarchy and also stole the prisons arms and ammunition. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
A statement of revolutionary ideas created by the National Assembly. Much like the Declaration of Independence, it guaranteed citizens equal justice, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. Sadly, women and children were not affected by this new law and still treated as they were before. This event is significant because it resulted in one of the most important documents of the French Revolution. It explained the new rights the National Assembly felt all men obtained. -
March on Versailles
During this time period, France faced many difficulties such as the increasing price of bread. This sudden increase caused many families to starve making the mothers extremely upset. On October 5, 1789, a group of Parisian gathered in a marketplace and decided to revolt. As they protested, more people joined their revolt resulting in thousands of supporters. The March on Versailles gave the revolutionaries confidence in the power of the people over the king. -
Civil Constitution of the Clergy
The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was an attempt to organize the Catholic Church in France throughout the entire nation. The Civil Constitution hoped to limit the Church's political influence by remaking Catholicism as a state religion, subject to national law. It became a significant cause of division and disruption throughout the new society. It is important because it completely changed the relationship between Church and State in France. -
Royal Family makes an effort to escape
After recognizing the amount of upheaval in France, King Louis XVi and his family members decided to flee the country. In Varennes, they were caught and brought to Paris. There, the King would be forced to go on trial. Both King Louis XVI and his wife, Marie-Antoinette were tried for treason and found guilty. Later that year, they were out to the guillotine. This event is significant because it shows how corrupt France was becoming. The king himself felt he needed to escape to live. -
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Reign of Terror
The period during Maximilien Robespierre's rule of the Committee of Public Safety. During this era, Robespierre murdered anyone he felt was an "enemy of the Revolution." Many people who once led the Revolution, such as Georges Danton, we put to death. About 40,000 people were killed during the Reign of Terror. The Reign of Terror is significant not only because of a number of lives that were lost but also the fear that was engraved in the minds of people throughout France. -
Execution of King Louis XVI
After being found guilty of treason, King Louis is put to death by the guillotine in the Place de la Revolution in Paris. Later in October, his wife was also executed for treason by the guillotine. The death of King Louis XVI and his wife is significant because it was the ultimate repudiation of the traditional monarchy. By terminating the former head of government, the revolutionary government declared the right of people to make decisions for themselves. -
Death of Maximilian Robespierre
On July 27, 1794, Maximilian Robespierre and his allies were placed under arrest by the National Assembly.p8 He was brought to Luxembourg prison but was the warden refused his presence. Robespierre fled to a nearby hotel and was announced an outlaw. He shot himself, yet survived with only wounds to his jaw. He was captured and put to the guillotine the next evening without trial. This event is significant because it marks the ending of the Reign of Terror.
