revolucion francesa History Timeline and Biographies

The Estates-General and the Outbreak of the Revolución Francesa

In May 1789, King Louis XVI convened the Estates-General to address the financial crisis in France. This assembly, representing the three estates of the realm, led to the formation of the National Assembly by the Third Estate, marking the beginning of the revolucion francesa.

The Storming of the Bastille

On July 14, 1789, Parisians stormed the Bastille prison, a symbol of royal tyranny. This event became a powerful symbol of the revolucion francesa and is celebrated annually in France as Bastille Day.

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

In August 1789, the National Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which laid out the fundamental rights of individuals and the principles of the revolution, emphasizing liberty, equality, and fraternity.

The Civil Constitution of the Clergy

In July 1790, the National Assembly enacted the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, which restructured the Catholic Church in France, leading to a schism and further conflict during the revolucion francesa.

The Flight to Varennes

In June 1791, King Louis XVI attempted to flee France to rally support against the revolution. His capture at Varennes marked a turning point, leading to increased distrust of the monarchy during the revolucion francesa.

The Establishment of the First French Republic

On September 21, 1792, the monarchy was abolished, and the First French Republic was proclaimed, marking a significant achievement of the revolucion francesa.

The Execution of Louis XVI

On January 21, 1793, King Louis XVI was executed by guillotine, a dramatic moment in the revolucion francesa that underscored the revolutionaries' commitment to ending monarchy and establishing republicanism.

The Reign of Terror

From September 1793 to July 1794, the revolutionary government, led by Robespierre, initiated the Reign of Terror, during which thousands were executed as enemies of the revolution, highlighting the radical phase of the revolucion francesa.

The Fall of Robespierre

On July 27, 1794, Robespierre was arrested and executed the following day, marking the end of the Reign of Terror and a shift in the direction of the revolucion francesa towards more moderate governance.

The Establishment of the Directory

In October 1795, the Directory was established as the new government, replacing the National Convention and attempting to stabilize France after the tumultuous period of the revolucion francesa.

The Coup of 18 Brumaire

On November 9, 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte staged a coup d'état, overthrowing the Directory and effectively ending the revolucion francesa, leading to the establishment of the Consulate and his eventual rise as Emperor.

Napoleon Becomes Emperor

In 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor of the French, consolidating power and marking a significant departure from the revolutionary ideals of the republican government established during the revolucion francesa.

The July Revolution

In July 1830, discontent with the Bourbon monarchy led to another revolution, known as the July Revolution, which was influenced by the principles of the revolucion francesa and resulted in the establishment of a constitutional monarchy.

The February Revolution

In February 1848, a wave of revolutions swept across Europe, including France, leading to the establishment of the Second Republic, echoing the revolutionary spirit of the original revolucion francesa.