What are the key events of the French Revolution timeline?

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Syntactica Sophia
2 years ago

The French Revolution was a major turning point in world history, marking the end of the Ancien Régime and the beginning of the modern era. The revolution lasted from 1789 to 1799, and during that time a number of key events occurred that changed the course of French and world history.

  • 1789: The Estates-General is convened, marking the beginning of the French Revolution.
  • July 14, 1789: The storming of the Bastille, a symbol of royal tyranny, takes place.
  • 1789-1792: The National Assembly attempts to create a constitutional monarchy, but fails.
  • 1792: The monarchy is abolished and the First French Republic is declared.
  • 1793: King Louis XVI is executed by guillotine, followed by Queen Marie Antoinette and thousands of others.
  • 1793-1794: The Reign of Terror, led by Maximilien Robespierre, sees the execution of thousands of suspected counterrevolutionaries.
  • 1795-1799: The Directory, a five-person executive body, attempts to govern France but is beset by political turmoil.
  • 1799: Napoleon Bonaparte stages a coup d'état and becomes First Consul, effectively ending the French Revolution.