French Revolution of 1789 - Timeline

Our narrative history for this period begins here. 1789 January†¢ January 24: The Estates General is officially summoned; election details go out. Crucially, no one is really sure how it should be formed, leading to an argument over voting powers.†¢ January - May: The Third Estate politicises as cahiers are drawn up, political clubs form and discussion takes place both verbally and through pamphleteering. The middle class believe they have a voice and intend to use it. February†¢ February: Sieyes publishes What is the Third Estate?†¢ February - June: Elections to the Estates General. May†¢ May 5: The Estates General opens. There is still no decision on voting rights, and the third estate believe they should have more of a say.†¢ May 6: The Third Estate refuses to meet or verify their election as a separate chamber. June†¢ June 10: The Third Estate, now frequently called the Commons, gives an ultimatum to the other estates: join in a common verification or the Commons would go on alone.†¢ June 13: A few members of the First Estate (priests and clergy) join the Third.†¢ June 17: The National Assembly is proclaimed by the former Third Estate.†¢ June 20: The Tennis Court Oath taken; with the National Assemblys meeting place closed in preparation for a Royal Session, the deputies meet at a tennis court and swear not to disband until a constitution is established.†¢ June 23: The Royal Session opens; the King initially tells the estates to meet separately and introduces reforms; the deputies of the National Assembly ignore him.†¢ June 25: Members of the Second Estate begin to join the National Assembly.†¢ June 27: The king gives in and orders the three estates to unite as one; troops are called to the Paris area. Suddenly, there has been a constitutional revolution i n France. Things would not stop here. July†¢ July 11: Necker is dismissed.†¢ July 12: Revolt begins in Paris, caused in part by Neckers dismissal and the fear of royal troops.†¢ July 14: The storming of the Bastille. Now the people of Paris, or the mob if you prefer, will start to direct the revolution and violence will result.†¢ July 15: Unable to rely on his army, the King gives in and orders troops to leave the Paris area. Louis does not want a civil war, when that might be all that would save his old powers.†¢ July 16: Necker is recalled.†¢ July - August: The Great Fear; mass panic across France as people fear a noble led backlash against their anti-feudal demonstrations. August†¢ August 4: Feudalism and privileges are abolished by the National Assembly in perhaps the most remarkable evening in Europes modern history.†¢ August 26: Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen published. September†¢ September 11: The King is granted a suspensive veto. October†¢ October 5-6: Journee of 5-6 October: the King and the National Assembly move to Paris at the behest of a Parisian mob. November†¢ November 2: Church property is nationalised. December†¢ December 12: Assignats are created. 1790 February†¢ February 13: Monastic vows banned.†¢ February 26: France divided into 83 departments. April†¢ April 17: Assignats accepted as currency. May†¢ May 21: Paris is divided into sections. June†¢ June 19: Nobility is abolished. July†¢ July 12: The Civil Constitution of the Clergy, a complete restructuring of the church in France.†¢ July 14: Feast of the Federation, a celebration to mark one year since the fall of the Bastille. August†¢ August 16: Parlements are abolished and the judiciary reorganised. September†¢ September 4: Necker resigns. November†¢ November 27: The Oath of the Clergy passed; all ecclesiastical office holders must swear an oath to the constitution. 1791 January†¢ January 4: Last date for clergy to have sworn the oath; over half refuse. April†¢ April 2: Mirabeau dies.†¢ April 13: The Pope condemns the Civil Constitution.†¢ April 18: The King is prevented from leaving Paris to spend Easter at Saint-Cloud. May†¢ May: Avignon is occupied by French forces.†¢ May 16: Self-Denying Decree: National Assembly deputies cannot be elected to the Legislative Assembly. June†¢ June 14: Le Chapelier Law stopping workers associations and strikes.†¢ June 20: Flight to Varennes; the King and Queen attempt to flee France but only get as far as Varennes.†¢ June 24: Cordelier organises a petition stating that liberty and royalty cannot co-exist. †¢ July 16: The Constituent Assembly declares that the king was the victim of an abduction plot.†¢ July 17: Massacre at the Champs de Mars, when National Guard open fire on republican demonstrators. August†¢ August 14: Slave rebellion begins in Saint-Domingue.†¢ August 27: Declaration of Pillnitz: Austria and Prussia threaten to take action in support of the French king. September†¢ September 13: The King accepts the new constitution.†¢ September 14: King swears the oath of allegiance to the new constitution.†¢ September 30: The National Assembly is dissolved. October†¢ October 1: The Legislative Assembly convenes.†¢ October 20: Brissots first calls for war against the à ©migrà ©s. November†¢ November 9: Decree against the à ©migrà ©s; if they do not return they will be considered traitors.†¢ November 12: The King vetoes the à ©migrà ©s decree.†¢ November 29: Decree against refractory priests; they will be considered suspects unless they take a civic oath. December†¢ December 14: Louis XVI requests the Elector of Trier disperse à ©migrà ©s or face military action.†¢ December 19: The King vetoes the decree against refractory priests. Back to Index Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6