The French Revolution Timeline: Causes, Stages, and Impact

The French Revolution: Key Stages and Causes

The Four Stages of the French Revolution

1st Stage: The Moderate Phase (1789–1791)

• Meeting of the Estates-General
• Fall of the Bastille
• Development of a Constitution and Bill of Rights

2nd Stage: The Radical Phase (1792–1794)

• Execution of Louis XVI
• Rise of Maximilien Robespierre
• The Reign of Terror

3rd Stage: The Conservative Phase (1795–1799)

• Period of reaction against the violence of the Revolution
• Establishment of the Directory

4th Stage: The Napoleonic Phase (1799–1815)

• Rise of Napoleon: Dictator to Emperor
• France builds an empire
• Collapse of Napoleon’s Empire

French Society Divided: The Three Estates

French society was divided into three estates, which determined a person’s legal rights and status:

• 1st Estate: The Roman Catholic Church (Clergy)
• 2nd Estate: The Nobility
• 3rd Estate: The Bourgeoisie and Peasants

Why Was the French Government Bankrupt in 1789?

• The government spent more money than it earned (deficit spending).
• Costly wars.
• Extravagant spending by the King.

Key Institutions and Events

The Estates-General

By 1788, France was on the verge of bankruptcy. Bread riots were spreading, and nobles, fearful of taxes, were criticizing the King’s power. A baffled Louis XVI finally summoned the Estates-General to meet at Versailles the following year.

The Third Estate delegates, mostly members of the bourgeoisie whose views had been shaped by the Enlightenment, wanted to make changes in the government.

The National Assembly

After weeks of stalemate, delegates of the Third Estate took a daring step. Claiming to represent the people of France, they declared themselves to be the National Assembly. They then invited delegates from the other estates to help them write a constitution, a document that describes the basic rules and laws of government.

The Reign of Terror

In July 1793, Robespierre became leader of the Committee of Public Safety. For the next year, Robespierre governed France as a dictator, and the period of his rule became known as the Reign of Terror.

The Legislative Assembly

• Abolished the Constitution of 1791.
• Called for an election.
• Deposed the King.

The Enlightenment

The Age of Enlightenment began in Europe as many began to question their governments and apply reason to the human and natural worlds. These are some of the core ideas:

• Freedom of Speech
• Natural Rights
• Freedom of Religion
• Women’s Rights