French Revolution: Key Events and Timeline 1789-1793
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The French Revolution: A Timeline
The Assembly of Notables
Why did that happen?
France was in a dire state due to wars. King Louis XVI called upon the nobles to convince them of a new financial plan.
What was it?
The Assembly of Notables was a group of important nobles who tried to solve France's tax problems but failed to reach a solution.
Why does it matter?
This was the last Assembly of Notables. It did not solve anything. It led to Louis XVI dismissing his finance minister and calling the Estates-General.
Meeting of the Estates-General (1789)
Why did that happen?
France still needed to find a way to raise money. Louis XVI called the Estates-General to address France's financial crisis.
What were the Estates-General?
It was a meeting of the general assembly for the three estates of France:
- First Estate: Clergy
- Second Estate: Nobles
- Third Estate: All others (95% of the population of France)
During the Estates-General meeting, they could not agree. The Third Estate demanded one more vote for an advantage, but the other estates did not want to give the Third Estate more power.
Oath of the Tennis Court (1789)
Why did that happen?
The Third Estate was locked out of the meeting room in Versailles. They moved to an indoor tennis court and refused to leave until their demands were met.
What was it?
The Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly. They vowed to remain assembled until France became a constitutional monarchy.
Assault on the Bastille (1789)
Why did that happen?
The people heard that troops were going to Versailles and believed that the monarchy was turning against them. They assaulted the military prison, the Bastille.
They raided the Bastille, killed the royal governor, and paraded through the streets with his head.
The Beginning of the French Revolution
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789)
Why did that happen?
The National Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man.
What was it?
A document declaring the "natural, inalienable, and sacred" rights of all men.
The Escape Attempt of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette (1791)
Louis XVI tried to flee from Paris but was recognized and detained in Varennes. He was branded a traitor to France, convicted by a single vote, and sentenced to death.
The National Assembly Becomes the Legislative Assembly (1791)
The National Convention (1792)
The first meeting of the National Convention was held.
Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette Executed (1793)
There was no place for a king in the new republic. They voted to execute Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette for treason.
They were sentenced to the guillotine.