1789

January 24

Louis XVI summons the Estates General

May 5

Estates General convenes

June 20

The “Tennis Court Oath”

July 11

Louis dismisses Necker, a popular minister

July 14

Storming of the Bastille

August 4

Abolition of feudal (noble, clerical) rights

August 26

Declaration of the Rights of Man

October 5-6

The Wives’ March; Louis “kidnapped” back to Paris

1790

May 19

National Assembly abolishes the nobility

July 12

Civil Constitution of the French Clergy

November 27

Clergy instructed to swear allegiance to France

1791

March 10

Pope Pius VI condemns the Civil Constitution of the Clergy

June 20-21

Louis & Marie Antoinette flee; captured at Varennes

August 27

Declaration of Pillnitz: Austria & Prussia express support for Louis

September

New Constitution ratified (with support of Louis)

1792

April 20

France declares war on Austria

April 25

First use of guillotine

June 13

Prussia declares war on France

August 9

Paris Commune established

August 10

Parisians storm Tuileries palace; end of Louis XVI’s power

September 20

French cannons drive back Prussians at Valmy

September 21

French Republic proclaimed

1793

January 21

Louis XVI executed

February 1

France declares war on Britain and Netherlands

April 6

Committee of Public Safety founded

June 24

New Constitution proclaimed

August 12

Mass conscription instituted

October 5

Republican calendar adopted

October 16

Marie Antoinette executed

1794

July 28

Robespierre guillotined