French Revolution Important People and Timeline of Events

French Revolution

A significant period from 1789 to 1799 when the people of France rose up to overthrow their king and change the government. They wanted to create a fair society, focusing on rights and freedoms for all citizens.

Maximilien Robespierre

An important leader during the French Revolution known for his strict rules and support of the Reign of Terror, where many people were executed. He believed in a republic based on virtue and was later executed himself in 1794.

Conciergerie Prison

A famous prison in Paris where many people were held during the French Revolution. It became known for housing enemies of the revolution and was a place where many faced execution.

Tennis Court Oath

A key event on June 20, 1789, when members of the Third Estate (the common people) promised to stay together and not leave until they created a new constitution for France, showing their determination against the king.

Estates-General

An assembly that met in 1789 consisting of three groups: the clergy, the nobility, and the common people. It was an important first step in the revolution since the common people demanded more fairness and rights.

Sans-Culottes

A group of working-class men and women who were very active during the French Revolution. They wore long pants instead of short aristocratic breeches to show their support for the revolution and their fight against the rich.

Guillotine

A device used for carrying out executions by beheading, making it a symbol of the revolution. The guillotine was seen as a way to enforce equality in death, as many nobles and common people were executed by it.

Reign of Terror

A dark period from 1793 to 1794 when the revolutionary government was very harsh and executed thousands of people who were seen as threats, often with little trial, led by Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

A crucial document created in August 1789 that stated the rights and freedoms every citizen should have, including liberty, property, and security, which inspired future democratic movements worldwide.

Marat

Jean-Paul Marat was a passionate journalist and revolutionary who published 'L'Ami du Peuple,' a newspaper that pushed for extreme actions against enemies of the revolution, making him a significant figure during this time.

Charlotte Corday

A young woman who assassinated Marat in July 1793, believing that killing him would save France from violence. Her act made her a symbol of political conflict and devotion to peace among some groups.

Committee of Public Safety

A powerful group that ran the country during the revolution starting in April 1793. They were responsible for protecting France from its enemies and were known for enforcing strict policies during the Reign of Terror.

Republic of Virtue

Robespierre's idea of a perfect society where citizens would be morally good and dedicated to the republic. Sadly, this led to more oppression and violence against anyone who disagreed.

National Razor

A nickname for the guillotine, highlighting its significance as a tool of justice and execution during the Revolution, representing how swiftly the government dealt with its enemies.

Napoleon Bonaparte

A military leader who gained power after the French Revolution and later became Emperor of France. He made many changes to laws and society, influencing France's future significantly.

The Festival of the Supreme Being

A celebration created by Robespierre in June 1794 to promote a new civic religion based on reason and virtue aimed at uniting people under revolutionary ideals.

The Terror

A period during the Revolution when fear and oppression were common, marked by mass executions. This phase aimed to eliminate all opposition to the revolution's ideals.

Marie Antoinette

The last queen of France, known for her extravagant lifestyle. She became a target for public anger and was executed by guillotine in 1793 due to her perceived indifference to the people's suffering.

Jacobin Club

A political group during the Revolution known for its extreme views. They played a major role in many government decisions and were often associated with the violence of the Reign of Terror.

Bastille

A fortress in Paris used as a prison that was stormed on July 14, 1789. This event is seen as the start of the French Revolution and the fight against oppression.

L'Ami du Peuple

A revolutionary newspaper started by Marat that called for action against enemies and promoted the ideas of the revolution, playing a key role in shaping public opinion.

Louis XVI

The last king of France before the Revolution, known for his inability to solve the nation's problems. He was executed by guillotine in 1793, marking the end of his monarchy.

Old Regime

The political and social system in France before the Revolution, characterized by rigid class structures and privileges that led to widespread dissatisfaction among the common people.

Phimosis

A medical condition experienced by Louis XVI that affected his marriage and became a source of ridicule, further damaging his reputation as a king.

Tuileries Palace

The royal residence in Paris where the king and queen were held prisoner after the revolutionaries took control. It represented the decline of royal power in France.

Vendee Revolt

A series of uprisings against the revolutionary government in the Vendee region from 1793 to 1796, driven by people who opposed revolutionary changes and military drafts.

Robespierre's Fall

The events leading to Robespierre's arrest and execution in July 1794, marking the end of the Reign of Terror and a shift in revolutionary leadership as fear of his power grew.