Timeline by BETHANY E DRUMM

Bad Harvests of 1787 & 1788

bdrumm37 — 2025-03-21 16:13:07 UTC

Poor weather led to widespread crop failures in France, causing food shortages and rising bread prices. Many presents faced starvation, which fueled resentment toward the monarchy and nobility. These economic hardships contributed to growing unrest and calls for reform.

Louis XVI Calls a Meeting of the Estates-General

bdrumm37 — 2025-03-21 16:26:04 UTC

The 2 upper classes were spending too much money which caused an economic crisis. Their solution to this was to raise the taxes on the 3rd class, but they didn't have any money either and were furious about their lack of power and control.

Third Estate Declares Itself the National Assembly (June 17, 1789)

bdrumm37 — 2025-03-24 16:10:46 UTC

When the Estate-General failed to address their concerns, the Third estate broke away and declared itself the National Assembly, claiming to represent the people of France. This was a direct challenge to the king's authority.

Tennis Court Oath

bdrumm37 — 2025-03-24 16:14:39 UTC

National Assembly (3rd estate) is locked out of Versailles.

Create an oath that a old tennis court to not leaving until the had a brand new constitution.

Storming of the Bastille

bdrumm37 — 2025-03-24 16:18:20 UTC

Storming of the prison (angry mob with whatever weapons they could find). They went to find gunpowder for their weapons. They ended up tearing the building apart brick by brick to make a point.

National Assembly Abolishes the Legal Privileges of the Nobles and Clergy (August 4, 1789)

bdrumm37 — 2025-03-24 16:23:44 UTC

No more Feudal privileges. Nobility and Clergy lose their special rights and tax exceptions.

Deceleration of the Rights of Man

bdrumm37 — 2025-03-24 16:28:03 UTC

No tax exemptions. Guaranteed the natural rights of men that can't be taken away to liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.

Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette Forced to Leave Versailles and Move to Paris

bdrumm37 — 2025-03-26 14:42:34 UTC

An angry mob of women protested food shortages.

National Assembly Completes the New Constitution

bdrumm37 — 2025-03-26 14:47:03 UTC

Limited the Kings power and the Legislative Assembly makes the laws.

The Royal Family Tries to Escape France to get Protection from Austria

bdrumm37 — 2025-03-26 14:55:02 UTC

Louis XVI thought that Austria would give him protection because the queen was from Austria. A Gatepost Guard recognizes them from their faces on a coin and arrests them. The King and Queen are now thought of as traitors.

France Declares War on Austria

bdrumm37 — 2025-03-26 15:33:18 UTC

Prussia quickly joins on the side of the Austrians. France feared Austria and Prussia would invade to restore the monarchy.

Monarchy is Abolished - French Republic is Created

bdrumm37 — 2025-03-26 15:40:53 UTC

France is now ruled by elected officials instead of a king.

Louis XVI (Night Night)

bdrumm37 — 2025-03-26 15:45:30 UTC

The only way to truly end the monarchy is to kill the king. He was beheaded which opened way to the republic.

Committee of Public Safety

bdrumm37 — 2025-04-07 15:20:10 UTC

Ran by 12 men with Robespierre in charge. Anyone who was suspected of being a royalist was hunted down and executed. They also controlled the Economy and Military.

Start of the Reign of Terror (September 1723)

bdrumm37 — 2025-04-07 16:07:04 UTC

Extreme Violence led to fear and executions to silence opposition. Anyone who was accused of being a traitor was arrested and most likely executed by guillotine.

Marie Antoinette Executed by Guillotine

bdrumm37 — 2025-04-07 16:14:04 UTC

Arrested after the fall of the Monarchy and put on trial. Executed in the second month of the Reign of Terror.

Maximilian Robespierre is Executed

bdrumm37 — 2025-04-07 16:19:21 UTC

Paranoid of the reign of terror as it grew. He accused his allies of treason which led to them accusing him. The National Convention turns on Robespierre in fear of being accused next and he was executed with no trial.

Reign of Terror Ends (July 1794)

bdrumm37 — 2025-04-07 16:24:08 UTC

When Robespierre died, the government revoked their policies and executions slowed down. France shifted to a stable, but still revolutionary, government.

Constitution of 1795 is Created

bdrumm37 — 2025-04-08 15:10:40 UTC

Established the Directory (two-house Legislative and five men executive committee.) This constitution tried to bring stabilization after years of chaos, this does not work. Struggled with Economic Problems.

Napoleon Bonaparte Leads Coup D' etat and Seizes Control of France

bdrumm37 — 2025-04-08 15:14:12 UTC

Used the Weakness of the Directory to Seize Power in a sudden military takeover. He Established the Consulate and made himself 1st Consul. This event finally ended the French Revolution. He promised to bring Order a stability to France.