The French Revolution: A Timeline of Key Events and Political Developments, Lecture notes of French

Download The French Revolution: A Timeline of Key Events and Political Developments and more Lecture notes French in PDF only on Docsity! The French Revolution Timeline Louis X VI Of France May 5, 1789 The First Estates General Is Called in 175 Years • The Estates General was a national assembly in which each of the three social classes of France (estates) were represented – The Church, the Nobles, and the Middle & Lower Classes • The Estates General was not a democratic assembly – Although each Estate got to vote, 98% of Frenchmen in the Third Estate were always outvoted by the First and Second Estates June 17, 1789 The Third Estate creates the National Assembly • After several stirring speeches, the Third Estate voted to create the National Assembly • The Third Estate was angry about always being outvoted in the Estates General by the Nobles and Clergy – They decided to create a legislative body of their own June 20, 1789 The National Assembly takes the Tennis Court Oath • After being locked out of the Estates General meeting, delegates of the Third Estate met in an indoor tennis court – They pledged not to leave until they had drawn up a new constitution July 14, 1789 French Citizens Storm the Bastille • The Bastille was a prison in France that held political opponents of the king – It symbolized the Old Regime • On July 14, Parisians stormed the Bastille to get gunpowder – This symbolized the fall of the Old Regime June 1791 Louis XVI tries to escape from France • Why did Louis XVI try to escape from France? – Advisors of the king warned that he and his family were in danger • What resulted in the attempted escape – On his way to the Austrian Netherlands he was recognized by a postmaster and returned to Paris under guard – Radicals were further enraged by Louis attempted escape September 1791 The new Constitution creates the Legislative Assembly • Why was the Legislative Assembly created? – To further limit the power of the monarchy • How was the Legislative Assembly created? – The National Assembly created a new constitution and handed power over to the Legislative Assembly • What powers did the Legislative Assembly have? – Created to make laws and approve wars April 1792 France goes to war with Austria and Prussia • Why did France go to war? – Austria and Prussia wanted France to restore the Old Regime • They feared revolution would spread to their countries • What resulted from the fighting? – Prussia threatened to destroy Paris if king Louis XVI was harmed – Parisians responded by storming the royal palace and taking the king and his family prisoner September 21, 1792 France is Declared a Republic • How was France declared a republic? – It was declared during the National Convention • Why was it declared? – They wanted to abolish the monarchy • What new rights did the people have? – Adult male citizens were allowed to vote and hold office • Women did not have the right to vote January 21, 1793 King Louis XVI is Executed • Why was Louis XVI executed? – He was tried for treason and, with the help of the Jacobins, found guilty • How was the king executed? – He was beheaded by the guillotine June 1793 Robespierre Heads the Committee of Public Safety • Who was Maximilien Robespierre? – He was the leader of France during the most radical phase of the revolution • What was the Committee of Public Safety? – Headed by Robespierre, the Committee decided who were enemies of the Revolution and executed them July 1793 Robespierre Creates the Reign of Terror • What was the Reign of Terror? – The period of July 1793 to July 1794 when Robespierre governed France as dictator • What resulted from the Reign of Terror? – 40,000 people including the Queen were executed