Timeline by Ellie Levine

Causes of French Revolution - around 1700-1789

elevine2028 — 2024-09-20 18:00:49 UTC

The causes of the French Revolution were a big part of how the revolution took place. The king and queen of the French at this time, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, were not very liked by the French. This was because they didn't care about their country and spent money on so many wasteful things when it could have been put to great use. This resulted in a famine. All the French were starving with zero food. the revolution actually benefited the French by showing them them they can win a revolt even against a major military power. Though this also gave them motivation to rebel.

^{How did the American revolution influence the French revolution?}

The Meeting of the Estates General - May 5th 1789

elevine2028 — 2024-09-23 18:49:26 UTC

May 5th 1789, The meeting of the Estates General was held in the Versailles. The clergy, nobility, and the commoners were invited to this meeting. The First Estate (Clergy) had around 300 representatives, the Second Estate (Nobility) also had About 300 representatives. and the Third Estate (Commoners) and about 600 representatives. Each estate got one vote per group. In this meeting they talked about the financial and political situations in France at the time. At the end they made a decision based off the majority vote which the third estate did not like. This resulted in the start of the French Revolution.

^{https://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/history/key-dates/summoning-estates-general-1789#:~:text=The%20political%20and%20financial%20situation,undertake%20reforms%20in%20the%20country.}

The Tennis Court Oath

elevine2028 — 2024-09-24 18:19:30 UTC

After being locked out of the Estates General meeting on June 20, 1789, the members of the Third Estate gathered in a nearby indoor tennis court. There, they took the Tennis Court Oath, pledging not to leave until they had created a new constitution for France. They were out there for a couple hours and finally came to a conclusion. They wanted a new constitution for France that would establish a constitutional monarchy and ensure liberty, equality, and fraternity. They hoped to create a government that represented the interests of all citizens, particularly the common people, rather than just the privileged classes.

https://www.britannica.com/event/Tennis-Court-Oath

The storming of the Bastille

elevine2028 — 2024-09-25 18:20:20 UTC

On July 14, 1789, people stormed the bastille because they were scared that King Louis XVI would use his soldiers to take control and silence their voices. They wanted to get weapons and gunpowder from the bastille, which was seen as a symbol of the kings unfair rule, even though there were only 7 prisoners inside. when they attacked, the governor of the prison was killed, and the fortress was destroyed, making a big change in the french revolution. This event showed that the people were rising up against unfair treatment and fighting for their rights. Today, July 14 is celebrated as bastille day in France, a holiday that honors freedom and quality.

https://www.britannica.com/event/storming-of-the-Bastille

The Establishment of the French Republic and the Declaration of the Rights of Man

elevine2028 — 2024-09-25 18:22:45 UTC

After bastille day, the national assembly tried to create a new government to represent the people better. In august 1789, they wrote the "Declaration of Rights of Man and of the Citizen," which listed important rights like freedom of speech, freedom or religion, and equality for everyone.

However, some members of the monarchy and conservative groups did not agree with this new document because they wanted to keep the old system of absolute monarchy. They were worried that giving people more rights would take away their power. This disagreement created a lot of tension in France as people began to start fights about their rights. Untimely, it showed that many people were ready for big changed in how their country was run.

https://www.elysee.fr/en/french-presidency/the-declaration-of-the-rights-of-man-and-of-the-citizen#:~:text=History,with%20a%20declaration%20of%20principles.

Trial of the King and Queen

elevine2028 — 2024-09-25 18:32:26 UTC

In June 1791, King Luis XVI and his family tried to escape from Paris to get back their power but were caught in a town called Varennes. This made people really mad and they eventually lost trust in the king. Later, the National Convention put Luis on trial for being a traitor because of his escape. He was found guilty and executed by guillotine on January 21, 1793. The Galantine was a machine that beheaded people, and it became a symbol of the harsh justice during the french revolution. Many people felt that this was a fair punishment for someone who betrayed his country. As a result, it showed how serious the revolution was and how much the people wanted to change.

https://alphahistory.com/frenchrevolution/trial-execution-of-louis-xvi/

Reign of Terror- september 5th, 1793

elevine2028 — 2024-09-26 18:31:22 UTC

The reign of Terror lasted from September 1793 to July 1794 during the french revolution. Led by Jacobins and Maximillion Rosebspierre. This period saw extreme actions against anyone apposing the government. Thousands were killed by the guillotine or shot, often without fair trails. The guillotine, a device used for beheading, became a symbol of this cruelty with estimates of 16,000 to 40,000 lives lost. People lived in fear of being accused of disloyalty, making them feel unsafe instead of protected in this tense and frightening time. In the end, this fear showed how dangerous it can be when one group has too much power.

https://www.worldhistory.org/Reign_of_Terror/

Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte - 1789-1799

elevine2028 — 2024-09-26 18:48:50 UTC

Napoleon Bonaparte was an important leader in France from the later 1700s to the early 1800s. Born in 1769 on the island of corsica, he became military hero during the french revolution and took control of France in 1799, calling himself emperor in 1804. He made many changes to help France like creating new and and improving schools and roads. Although he won many battles, his desire for power led to big wars, and his failed invasion of Russia in 1812 changed everything. after being sent away to the island of Helba in 1815. He was exiled again to the island of saint Helena, where he did in 1821. People remember him for his military skills and the changed he made in France, but also for the wars that caused a lot of suffering.

https://www.worldhistory.org/Reign_of_Terror/