The internal political situation remains unstable, but is silenced by the army, now led by a young general Napoleon Bonaparte. 1795: The Directory takes powerĪ new regime – the Directory – takes power in France in 1795. This marks the start of the bloody Reign of Terror ( la Terreur), a year-long period in which suspected enemies of the revolution are killed in their thousands. Infighting within the National Convention leads to the radical Montagnards taking power. This signals the most violent phase of the French Revolution. June 1793: Reign of Terror beginsįollowing the King’s execution, France goes to war with various European powers. The King is tried and, on 21 January 1793, he is executed as a traitor. This proclaimed the abolition of the monarchy and established the French Republic. The following month, on 22 September 1792, the National Convention is established. 22 September 1792: French Republic establishedĪfter a long period of debate about how the new constitution will work, the French Revolution takes a radical turn when revolutionaries arrest the King. Today this date is celebrated as Bastille Day in France. In retaliation, rebels storm the prison fortress of the Bastille, a symbol of royal authority. The French Revolution has begun! 14 July 1789: Storming of BastilleĪ wave of revolutionary hysteria sweeps through Paris, leading to fears of a military coup. This is a bold challenge to the King’s authority. The Estates-General (France’s equivalent to the British Parliament) collapses when members of the Third Estate – which represents ‘the people’ – form their own National Assembly, to campaign for constitutional reform. French Revolution: A brief timelineĢ0 June 1789: Collapse of Estates-General This period was known as the French Revolution. This led to a people’s revolt against the inequalities of French society, the corruption of royal officials, and despair owing to widespread economic hardship. In the late 18th century France was on the brink of bankruptcy due to its involvement in the American Revolution and King Louis XVI’s extravagant spending. The French Revolution was not a single event but a series of developments that unfolded between 17.

The French Revolution took place between 17, leading to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.

When did napoleon take power