What were the key events of the French Revolution that affected the monarchy?

Answers:

• The French Revolution, which began in 1789 and lasted until 1799, was marked by a series of significant events that profoundly impacted the French monarchy. Here are some of the key events related to the monarchy:

  1. Estates-General (May 1789): The financial crisis in France led King Louis XVI to summon the Estates-General, an assembly representing the three estates of the realm (clergy, nobility, and commoners). This meeting highlighted the discontent among the Third Estate (commoners), eventually leading to calls for significant reform.

  2. National Assembly (June 1789): Following a deadlock in the Estates-General over voting procedures, the representatives of the Third Estate declared themselves the National Assembly, signaling a direct challenge to the king's authority and claiming to represent the people.

  3. Tennis Court Oath (June 20, 1789): The members of the National Assembly vowed not to disband until they had drafted a new constitution. This showed their commitment to establishing a government based on the principles of popular sovereignty.

  4. Storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789): The attack on the Bastille prison became a symbol of the revolution and marked the beginning of widespread uprisings against the monarchy. It demonstrated the people's willingness to use violence to achieve their demands.

  5. August Decrees (August 4, 1789): In response to popular unrest, the National Assembly abolished feudal privileges and many of the aristocratic rights, effectively dismantling the old social order and significantly reducing the power of the monarchy and the nobility.

  6. Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (August 26, 1789): This foundational document established the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity, asserting the rights of citizens and limiting the powers of the monarchy.

  7. Women's March on Versailles (October 5-6, 1789): Following a severe shortage of bread, thousands of women marched to Versailles demanding food and the king's attention. This forced Louis XVI and his family to move to Paris, showcasing the declining power and control of the monarchy.

  8. Constitution of 1791: This constitution established a limited constitutional monarchy, stripping the king of many of his powers. Louis XVI was now only a figurehead, and the legislative assembly held significant authority.

  9. Flight to Varennes (June 20-21, 1791): In an attempt to escape Paris and regain his authority, Louis XVI tried to flee to Varennes but was captured. This event severely damaged the king's credibility and increased revolutionary fervor against him.

  10. Abolition of the Monarchy (September 21, 1792): The National Convention formally abolished the monarchy, declaring France a republic. This marked the end of centuries of monarchical rule in France.

  11. Trial and Execution of Louis XVI (1793): Louis XVI was tried for treason and found guilty. He was executed by guillotine on January 21, 1793, a pivotal moment that symbolized the revolution's rejection of monarchy and paved the way for further radical changes in France.

  12. Reign of Terror (1793-1794): Led by the Committee of Public Safety under Robespierre, this period saw the execution of thousands, including many former revolutionaries and supporters of the monarchy, solidifying the radical nature of the revolution.

  These events collectively transformed France from a monarchy to a republic, fundamentally altering its political landscape and eventually leading to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte and the establishment of a new form of governance.