1. French Revolution Events Timeline
Unit 1, Part 7

2. the Estates-General, May 1789
It was a meeting of the Estates that met at the king’s discretion. The Estates-General did not favour change since the third estate was outnumbered. It was disbanded in 1789.
This was the first time the people questioned the authority of the king and the higher estates.
It helps me understand the hierarchy pyramid. The third estate did not have the legal right to challenge authority. Hierarchy is an established order. . .

3. The Tennis Court Oath, June 1789
The members of the third estate were locked out of the assembly chamber by Louis XVI. They met in a tennis court and swore an oath to not disband until a new constitution was written.
They were taking authority from the higher ups. They did write several new constitutions over the revolutionary period.
The social contract which is It was being changed because. . .

4. Storming of the Bastille, 14 July 1789
The commoners of Paris marched on a prison to free political prisoners and get weapons. They were concerned that the king was clamping down on the revolution. It was violent.
This was the first violence in the revolution but not the last.
Types of power – the mob had numbers. . .

5. Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, 26 August 1789
The ‘natural rights’ of man are to have liberty, to own property, security and resistance to oppression. These were codified in law.
Before this the common people had no guaranteed rights, but this changed that forever. This is true of all modern societies today.
Equity. . .

6. March on Versailles, 5 Oct. 1789
The women of Paris marched to the king’s residence. They were upset about high food prices. They brought the royal family back to Paris and he was applauded for wearing the tricolour.
It goes to show that the people had a voice in this revolution. The citizens thought the king was on side.
Uses of power. . .

7. Flight to Varennes, 20 July 1791
The royal family attempted to leave France to start a counter-revolution. They dressed up like their servants but they were recognized and they were taken back to Paris under guard.
This was the first indication that the monarch would not be a part of the new France. The radicals are becoming the most influential political party.
Divine right. . .

8. The Execution of Louis XVI, 21 Jan. 1793
The king was found guilty of plotting against the revolution by fleeing to Austria to raise an army. He was executed by guillotine.
This was the end of the monarchy and the start of the French Republic. The people executed him.
Order v. freedom. . .

9. The Terror,
Robespierre led the Committee of Public Safety and they wanted to find and execute enemies of the revolution. They executed men, women, and children and forced men into the army.
This is the bloodiest period of the revolution and it was chaotic. It paved the way for a strong leader (Napoleon).
Social organizations . . .

10. The Directory,
A group of five men who had executive power to write law. They extended the vote to more people but only men with land and who were literate. They failed keep order – people were still rioting over high food prices.
It re-created a form of legislative government and tried to fulfill the people’s desire to have a say in politics. It could not restore confidence in the government.
Types of power. . .

11. Napoleon Bonaparte (1) 1799-1815
Went to a military academy; he rose to fame through successful campaigns in Toulon, in Egypt; he became a popular and famous military leader. Then he took over the ineffectual Directory. This was the Brumaire coup.

12. Napoleon Bonaparte (3) 1799-1815
The Code Napoloen
He created the Lycee system
He created the Legion of Honour