Looking for a brief & simple timeline of the French Revolution that covers all the major events? Our timeline of the French revolution is quick to read and provides you with all the most important information.
1789. May – June
May 05, 1789 – A meeting of the Estates-General was called by Louis XVI in Versailles to discuss and approve a new tax plan.
June 17, 1789 – Three Poitevin curés decide to join the Third Estate, leaving the Chambers of the Clergy. Accepting the proposition of the delegate Abbé Sieyès, the Third Estate proclaims itself “The National Assembly.” A few liberal nobles and many clergy join the movement of the Third Estate.
June 20, 1789 – Tennis Court Oath: After being locked out of their meeting room, deputies of the Third Estate assembled on a tennis court and swore not to separate until a constitutional regime was established.
1789. July – October
July 7 – 13, 1789 – The National Assembly appoints a committee of thirty members to draft a constitution. The National Assembly proclaims itself the Constituent National Assembly, with full authority and power to decree laws; their primary task is to draw up and adopt a constitution. Necker is dismissed. Demonstrations and speeches take place at the Palais–Royal. The electors of Paris form a standing committee and a citizens’ militia.
July 14, 1789 – The storming and fall of the Bastille.
August 04,1789 – The end of feudalism and serfdom in France was announced by the National Assembly.
August 27, 1789 – The Declaration of the Rights of Man was issued by The National Assembly.
October 5, 1789 – The women of Paris invaded Versailles. Parisians, led by a large number of women, march upon Versailles and force the royal family back to Paris, where they take up residence at the Tuileries. Louis XVI is considered by many a “Prisoner” in Paris. The Assembly, still in Versailles, declares, in the spirit of constitutional monarchy, its inseparability from the king.
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1790
1790 – The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was passed.
1791
1791 – The Constitution of 1791 was adopted.
June 20, 1791 – Louis XVI and his family were arrested while trying to flee from France but were arrested.
1792
April 20, 1792 – France declared war on Austria.
September 1792 – The First meeting of the National Convention was held.
December 1972 – Commencement of the trial of Louis XVI.
1793
January 21, 1793 – Louis XVI sentenced to the guillotine.
August 1793 – A National Draft was issued calling for all able-bodied men to enlist in the army.
September 1793 to July 1794
The Reign of Terror court sentenced 20,000 to 40,000 people to death.
1794
July 27, 1794 – The National Convention arrested Robespierre.
July 28, 1794 – Robespierre was beheaded.
1795
1795 – A new Constitution was adopted.
1799 – The fall of the Directory heralds the end of the French Revolution.
