French nationalism
What is the third estate? (January 10, 1789)
the Abbe Sieyes wrote a pamphlet titled "What is the third estate?" in it the Abbe attacks the nobility and states that the third estate is the most significant and that it IS the nation.
The Estates General (May 5, 1789
The estates general meets for the first time since 1614 in Versailles. At the meeting the third estate demands more representatives for their estate and the king accepts.
Communes(May 28, 1789)
The third estate starts meeting on their own calling themselves communes (commons)
March on Versailles(October 5, 1789)
Rumors of Louis XVI stomping on a French flag, and women marching on Versaille to demand bread lead to the royal family being forced to Paris were king Louis signs the "declaration of the rights of man".
The Royal Family Flees(June 20, 1791)
Unrest in Paris in the spring of 1791 convinced the royal family that they must flee. With the help of a loyal friend Count Axel von Fersen an escape was organized. But when they reached Varennes they were recognized and escorted back to Paris, were they were now seen as traitors.
Tennis court oath(June 20, 1789)
The third estate is locked out of their meet point by King Louis XVI, so the members move the meeting to a near by indoor tennis court were they make an oath to stay together untel there is a fair constitution in France.
Storming the Bastille(July 14, 1789)
In July 14, 1789 Paris erupts and a mob storms the Invalides fortress were they obtain 30,000 muskets, they then attack the Bastille were they free prisoners and take gunpowder. After the fight the people slowly destroy the Bastille seeing it as a sign of King Louis XVI authority.
Declaration of the rights of man(August 26, 1789)
The assembly adopts the "declaration of the rights of man" It asserted the political and social equality of all men, the sovereignty of the people, and the natural right to liberty, property, security, and resistance to opposition.
Civil constitution of the clergy(July 12, 1789)
The nationalization of church lands and the passing of the "Civil constitution of the clergy" helped put the church under goverment control and made it so that the members were elected by the citizens.
France Goes to War Against Austria(April 21, 1792)
On April 21, 1792, the French government declared war on Austria. As Prussia was allied with Austria, France found itself fighting a war against both countries.