révolution française History Timeline and Biographies

The Estates-General and the Birth of the Revolution

In May 1789, King Louis XVI called the Estates-General to address the financial crisis. This assembly of representatives from the three estates (clergy, nobility, and commoners) led to the formation of the National Assembly by the Third Estate, marking the beginning of the révolution française.

The Storming of the Bastille

On July 14, 1789, the storming of the Bastille prison became a symbol of the revolution. Parisians seized the fortress, which represented royal tyranny, and this event is now celebrated as France's national day, marking a turning point in the révolution française.

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, articulating the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity, which became foundational to the values of the révolution française and modern democracy.

The Civil Constitution of the Clergy

In July 1790, the National Assembly passed the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, reorganizing the Catholic Church in France and bringing it under state control. This move led to significant conflict and was a controversial aspect of the révolution française.

The Flight to Varennes

In June 1791, King Louis XVI attempted to escape from Paris to initiate a counter-revolution but was captured in Varennes. This failed flight further eroded the king's credibility and intensified the revolutionary fervor among the populace.

The September Massacres

In September 1792, amidst fears of foreign invasion and civil war, revolutionary leaders instigated the September Massacres, where hundreds of prisoners were killed. This brutal event exemplified the radical turn of the révolution française and the growing influence of the sans-culottes.

The Establishment of the First French Republic

On September 21, 1792, the National Convention abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic. This marked a significant milestone in the révolution française, as it symbolized the triumph of revolutionary ideals over royal authority.

The Execution of Louis XVI

On January 21, 1793, King Louis XVI was executed by guillotine, marking a radical shift in the revolution. His death symbolized the complete break from the monarchy and intensified the revolutionary fervor during the période de la Terreur.

The Reign of Terror Begins

From September 1793 to July 1794, the Reign of Terror was marked by mass executions of perceived enemies of the revolution, led by the Committee of Public Safety under Maximilien Robespierre. This period exemplified the extreme measures taken during the révolution française to protect the republic.

The Fall of Robespierre

On July 27, 1794, Maximilien Robespierre was arrested and executed the following day, ending the Reign of Terror. His fall marked a turning point in the révolution française, leading to a more moderate phase in the revolution.

The Establishment of the Directory

In 1795, the National Convention established the Directory, a five-member committee that governed France. This period was characterized by political instability and corruption, reflecting the challenges faced by the revolutionaries in maintaining order post-revolution.

The Coup of 18 Brumaire and the Rise of Napoleon

On November 9, 1799, the Coup of 18 Brumaire led by Napoleon Bonaparte resulted in the overthrow of the Directory and the establishment of the Consulate. This event effectively ended the révolution française and marked the beginning of Napoleon's rise to power.

Napoleon Becomes Emperor

In 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor of the French, solidifying his power and marking a departure from the revolutionary ideals of the republic. This transformation represented the culmination of the revolutionary changes initiated during the révolution française.

The Legacy of the Revolution

The révolution française had lasting impacts on France and the world, influencing various revolutionary movements and shaping modern democratic ideals. Its legacy continues to be felt today, as it laid the groundwork for contemporary political thought and civil rights.