Key Events

  1. The Meeting of the Estates General

In May of 1789, France’s financial crisis forced Luois the XVI to call together the Esates General, hoping that the Second Estate would start to pay taxes. After three weeks of debate, the Third Estate got tired and decided that they would form the National Assembly, declaring themselves representatives of the French people. Upon hearing this, Luois XVI locked them out of the meeting room. This forced them to meet up on a nearby tennis court instead where they swore the tennis court oath. They promised to stick together until France became a decomcracy.

  1. The Storming of the Bastille

France’s financial crisis coincided with two bad harvests. These factors raised taxes and food prices significantly, leaving the French angry and hungry. On 14th July 1789, an angry Paris mob stormed the Bastille prison. They hoped to find weapons and to free prisoners. This also showed that they were against the king as the Bastille was a symbol of the power of the king and the ancien regime.

  1. Flee to Varennes and execution

In fear of losing power, Luois the XVI and Marie Antoinette fled France. They wanted to arrive in Belgium, however, they were trapped at Varennes. This made the people lose all trust in the King. He was put on trial for betraying his country, was found guilty and kille via the guillotine in January 1793. Marie Antoinette was executed shortly after.

  1. The Reign of Terror

After the King’s death, France became very violent. A leader named Maximillien Robespierre demanded many people be killed by guillotine if they were suspected of being against the revolution. Thousands of innocent people died and soon even Robespierre himself was executed.