Key Events and Transformations of the French Revolution
Posted on Dec 4, 2024 in History
The French Revolution
Pre-Revolutionary France
Economic Crisis (1780s)
- U.S. Revolutionary War Debt
- Decline in Agricultural Prices
- Treaty with Great Britain (1786) Influx of Industrial Products
- Poor Harvests (1781-1788)
The Assembly of Notables (1787-1788)
- Calonne’s Tax Reform Proposal
- Brienne’s Opposition
- Demand for the Estates-General
Institutional Revolt
- Third Estate’s Grievances
- Meeting of the Estates-General
- Abbé Sieyès’ Call for a National Assembly
- Tennis Court Oath
The National Constituent Assembly (1789-1792)
Storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789)
Key Achievements
- Abolition of Feudalism
- Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
- Nationalization of Church Property
- Constitution of 1791
- Establishment of a Legislative Assembly
Fall of the Monarchy
Louis XVI Seeks Prussian Aid
Popular Insurrection in Paris
Establishment of the Paris Commune
End of the Monarchy
The National Convention (1792-1795)
Girondin Convention
- Abolition of the Monarchy, Establishment of the First Republic
- Execution of Louis XVI
- War with European Powers
- Food Shortages and Revolts
Jacobin Convention
- Price Controls
- Drafting of a New Constitution (Never Enacted)
- De-Christianization and Calendar Reform
- The Reign of Terror
- Execution of Robespierre (July 27, 1794)
The Directory (1795-1799)
Structure
- Executive: 5-Member Committee
- Legislative: Council of 500 and Council of Ancients
Napoleon’s Rise
- Military Victories
- Coup of 18 Brumaire (November 9, 1799)
Napoleon and the Empire (1804-1815)
Consolidation of Power
- Civil Code
- Concordat with the Pope
- Bank of France
Imperialist Policies
- Restructuring of Europe
- Continental System
- Defeat at Waterloo (1815)
Legacy of the French Revolution
- Equality Before the Law
- Separation of Powers
- Popular Sovereignty
- Declaration of Human Rights
