Key Events of the French Revolution

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What happened at the Storming of the Bastille?

Parisians stormed the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, symbolizing the end of the king's authority and sparking the Revolution.

What was the Great Fear?

The Great Fear was a period of panic and riot by peasants in 1789, fueled by rumors of an aristocratic conspiracy to overthrow the Third Estate.

What was the significance of the Women's March on Versailles?

On October 5, 1789, women marched from Paris to Versailles, demanding bread and forcing the royal family to move to Paris, effectively placing them under revolutionary control.

What were the key outcomes of the National Assembly?

The National Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, established a constitutional monarchy, and reformed the church.

What led to the execution of King Louis XVI?

King Louis XVI was executed in January 1793 after being found guilty of treason by the National Convention for conspiring with foreign monarchies.

What was the Reign of Terror?

A period from 1793 to 1794 marked by mass executions of perceived enemies of the Revolution, led by the Committee of Public Safety under Robespierre.

Who was Marie Antoinette, and what happened to her during the Revolution?

Marie Antoinette was the Queen of France, executed by guillotine in October 1793 during the Reign of Terror for treason.

What was the Thermidorian Reaction?

The Thermidorian Reaction was the downfall of Robespierre and the end of the Reign of Terror, leading to a more conservative phase of the Revolution.

What changes did the French Revolution bring to the structure of the French government?

The Revolution abolished the monarchy, established a republic, and eventually led to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.

What was the Directory?

The Directory was the five-member committee that governed France from 1795 until 1799, marking a period of political instability.

How did the Revolution impact the Catholic Church?

The Revolution led to the nationalization and sale of church lands, decreased church influence, and the establishment of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy.

What was the significance of the 1791 Constitution?

The 1791 Constitution was the first written Constitution of France, establishing a constitutional monarchy and limiting the power of the king.

What role did the Jacobins play in the French Revolution?

The Jacobins were a radical political group that controlled the government during the Reign of Terror and enforced revolutionary policies.

How did the Revolution influence other European countries?

The French Revolution inspired similar uprisings in Europe, challenging monarchies and spreading ideas of democracy and nationalism.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Valmy?

The French revolutionary army's victory at Valmy in 1792 secured the survival of the Revolution against foreign intervention.