The Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789
The iconic event of the Revolution that symbolized the overthrow of the old regime and is still commemorated as Bastille Day
French Revolution
A comprehensive timeline of the French Revolution from 1789 to 1799, covering the transformation from absolute monarchy to republic, including major political upheavals, social changes, and the eventual rise of Napoleon.
1789 CE - 1790 CE
Convocation of the Estates General
The Estates General was convened for the first time since 1614 due to France's financial crisis. This assembly of representatives from the three estates (clergy, nobility, and commoners) marked the beginning of the revolutionary process that would transform France.
Formation of the National Assembly
The Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly of France, breaking away from the traditional Estates General structure. This act represented a fundamental shift in political authority from the monarchy to representatives of the people.
Tennis Court Oath
Members of the National Assembly took an oath not to disperse until a new constitution had been established. This pivotal moment demonstrated their commitment to constitutional government and marked a point of no return in the revolutionary process.
Le Serment du Jeu de paume by Jacques-Louis David
Depicting the Tennis Court Oath
Dismissal of Jacques Necker
King Louis XVI dismissed the popular finance minister Jacques Necker, sparking public outrage and demonstrations in Paris. This decision was seen as a rejection of reform and helped precipitate the storming of the Bastille.
Storming of the Bastille
Parisian revolutionaries stormed the Bastille fortress, a symbol of royal authority and oppression. This dramatic event marked the beginning of popular participation in the Revolution and became its most iconic moment, later celebrated as Bastille Day.
The Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789
The iconic event of the Revolution, still commemorated each year as Bastille Day
Abolition of Feudalism
The National Assembly published the August Decrees, formally abolishing feudalism in France. This sweeping reform eliminated feudal dues, church tithes, and special privileges, fundamentally transforming French society and economy.
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
The National Assembly adopted this fundamental document establishing individual rights and freedoms. The Declaration became a cornerstone of liberal democracy and influenced constitutional developments worldwide.
Women's March on Versailles
Thousands of Parisian women marched to Versailles demanding bread and political reforms. They forced the royal family to return to Paris, effectively ending the independence of the monarchy and bringing it under popular control.
Nationalization of Church Property
The National Assembly confiscated all church property to back a new paper currency called assignats. This radical measure fundamentally altered the relationship between church and state while attempting to solve France's financial crisis.
Dissolution of Religious Orders
The National Assembly dissolved all religious orders and monasteries in France, encouraging monks and nuns to return to private life. This marked a significant step in the secularization of French society.
Monks and nuns enjoy their new freedom
Caricature showing monks and nuns enjoying their new freedom after the decree of 16 February 1790
Civil Constitution of the Clergy
The Assembly made clergy employees of the state, establishing rates of pay and a system for electing priests and bishops. This controversial measure split the French Catholic Church and created lasting religious divisions.
Fête de la Fédération
A massive celebration was held throughout France commemorating the fall of the Bastille and the establishment of constitutional monarchy. The festival demonstrated national unity but also revealed growing political divisions.
The Fête de la Fédération on 14 July 1790
Celebrated the establishment of the constitutional monarchy
1791 CE - 1792 CE
Flight to Varennes
King Louis XVI and his family attempted to flee France but were captured at Varennes and returned to Paris. This failed escape attempt destroyed remaining trust in the monarchy and accelerated the move toward republicanism.
After the Flight to Varennes
The royal family are escorted back to Paris
Massacre of the Champ de Mars
The National Guard fired on protesters demanding the king's abdication, killing between 13 and 50 people. This event marked a turning point in the Revolution, demonstrating the willingness of moderate revolutionaries to use force against radicals.
Declaration of Pillnitz
Emperor Leopold II and King Frederick William II of Prussia declared their support for Louis XVI and hinted at military intervention. Though largely symbolic, this declaration increased revolutionary fears of foreign invasion and counter-revolution.
Beginning of French Revolutionary Wars
France declared war on Austria, beginning a series of conflicts that would last until 1815. The war was intended to unite the country and spread revolutionary ideals, but initially brought military defeats and internal crisis.
Insurrection of 10 August
A combined force of Parisian National Guard and provincial revolutionaries attacked the Tuileries Palace, effectively ending the monarchy. This popular uprising led to the suspension of the king and paved the way for the First Republic.
The insurrection of 10 August 1792
The attack on the Tuileries Palace that ended the monarchy
September Massacres
Between 1,100 and 1,600 prisoners in Parisian jails were summarily executed by mobs. These killings, largely of common criminals, reflected the paranoia and violence that characterized this period of the Revolution.
Battle of Valmy
French forces defeated the Prussians in the first major victory of the Revolutionary Wars. This unexpected triumph boosted revolutionary morale and validated the concept of citizen armies fighting for the nation.
The Battle of Valmy by Horace Vernet, 1826
French victory at the Battle of Valmy validated the Revolutionary idea of armies composed of citizens
Proclamation of the First Republic
The National Convention formally abolished the monarchy and established the French First Republic. This marked the definitive end of royal rule and the beginning of republican government in France.
1793 CE - 1794 CE
Execution of Louis XVI
Former King Louis XVI was executed by guillotine for 'conspiracy against public liberty and general safety.' His death shocked European monarchies and intensified the war against revolutionary France.
Execution of Louis XVI in the Place de la Concorde
Facing the empty pedestal where the statue of his grandfather Louis XV previously stood
War of the First Coalition Begins
Following Louis XVI's execution, Britain and the Dutch Republic joined Austria and Prussia in declaring war on France. This expanded conflict would dominate European politics for over two decades.
Vendée Rebellion Begins
The traditionally conservative Vendée region rose in revolt against the Republic, beginning a brutal civil war. This counter-revolutionary uprising was fueled by opposition to religious changes and military conscription.
Creation of Committee of Public Safety
The Convention established this executive committee to deal with the mounting crisis facing the Republic. The Committee would become the de facto government during the Terror, wielding unprecedented power.
Fall of the Girondins
The moderate Girondin faction was purged from the Convention following popular pressure and political maneuvering by the Montagnards. This marked the beginning of radical Jacobin control and the intensification of the Terror.
Assassination of Marat
Jean-Paul Marat, radical journalist and politician, was assassinated by Charlotte Corday, a Girondin sympathizer. His death made him a martyr for the radical cause and intensified the persecution of political opponents.
The Death of Marat by Jacques-Louis David (1793)
Iconic painting depicting the assassination of the radical journalist
Levée en Masse Decree
The Convention ordered mass conscription, mobilizing the entire nation for war. This revolutionary concept of total war would transform military strategy and enable France to field massive armies against the European coalition.
Law of Suspects
This law authorized the arrest of suspected 'enemies of freedom,' greatly expanding the scope of the Terror. It marked the beginning of systematic persecution based on political suspicion rather than specific crimes.
Execution of Marie Antoinette
The former queen was executed after being convicted of treason and conspiracy. Her death symbolized the complete rejection of the old regime and intensified international opposition to the Revolution.
Abolition of Slavery in French Colonies
The Convention voted to abolish slavery in all French colonies and granted full citizenship rights to all residents regardless of color. This radical measure was partly motivated by the need to maintain control over rebellious colonies.
Execution of Hébert and Followers
Jacques Hébert and 19 of his radical followers were executed, marking Robespierre's move against the ultra-revolutionary faction. This demonstrated that even supporters of the Terror were not safe from its reach.
Execution of Danton
Georges Danton, former ally of Robespierre and moderate revolutionary leader, was executed along with Camille Desmoulins. This event shocked many and marked the Terror's turn against its own architects.
Georges Danton
Robespierre's close friend and Montagnard leader, executed 5 April 1794
Festival of the Supreme Being
Robespierre organized this elaborate ceremony to promote his deistic Cult of the Supreme Being. The expensive and grandiose festival was widely ridiculed and contributed to growing opposition against Robespierre.
Law of 22 Prairial
This law denied 'enemies of the people' the right to defend themselves and accelerated the pace of executions. It represented the Terror at its most extreme and arbitrary, leading to widespread fear even among revolutionaries.
Fall of Robespierre (9 Thermidor)
Maximilien Robespierre was arrested and executed along with his supporters, ending the Reign of Terror. This dramatic reversal, known as the Thermidorian Reaction, marked the beginning of a more moderate phase of the Revolution.
The execution of Robespierre on 28 July 1794
Marked the end of the Reign of Terror
Treaty of La Jaunaye
This treaty ended the Chouannerie rebellion in western France by allowing freedom of worship and the return of non-juring priests. It marked a significant step toward religious reconciliation and internal peace.
1795 CE - 1796 CE
Peace of Basel with Prussia
Prussia made peace with France, becoming the first major power to leave the First Coalition. This diplomatic victory strengthened France's position and began the collapse of the anti-French alliance.
13 Vendémiaire Uprising
Napoleon Bonaparte used artillery to suppress a royalist uprising in Paris, earning him recognition and advancement. This 'whiff of grapeshot' demonstrated the Directory's reliance on military force to maintain power.
Troops under Napoleon fire on Royalist insurgents in Paris, 5 October 1795
Napoleon's first major political intervention
Establishment of the Directory
The Constitution of the Year III established the Directory, a five-man executive body that would govern France until 1799. This new system attempted to balance power and prevent both monarchy and radical democracy.
Conspiracy of the Equals
François-Noël Babeuf led this failed communist uprising demanding immediate implementation of the 1793 Constitution and wealth redistribution. Though unsuccessful, it represented the first modern socialist revolutionary movement.
1797 CE - 1798 CE
Coup of 18 Fructidor
Republican directors used military force to purge royalist deputies and directors, annulling election results. This coup demonstrated the Directory's instability and dependence on the army for survival.
Treaty of Campo Formio
Napoleon's victories in Italy forced Austria to make peace, formally ceding the Austrian Netherlands and recognizing French satellite republics. This treaty established Napoleon as a major political figure and reshaped the European map.
Napoleon's Egyptian Campaign Begins
Napoleon launched his invasion of Egypt, seeking to strike at British interests and establish his own glory. Though ultimately unsuccessful, this campaign enhanced his reputation and removed him from French politics temporarily.
War of the Second Coalition Begins
A new coalition of European powers formed against France, beginning another major phase of the Revolutionary Wars. This conflict would provide the context for Napoleon's eventual rise to power.
1799 CE - 1799 CE
Coup of 18 Brumaire
Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew the Directory and established the Consulate with himself as First Consul. This coup effectively ended the French Revolution and began Napoleon's path to imperial power.
Napoléon Bonaparte in the Council of 500 during 18 Brumaire, 9 November 1799
The coup that ended the Directory and the Revolution
