360The French Revolution begins
On 14 July 1789, crowds in Paris stormed the Bastille, a royal fortress and prison, in the opening days of the French Revolution. Within weeks, the National Assembly abolished feudal privileges and adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. The revolution ended absolute monarchy in France and spread new ideas about rights across Europe.
By 1789, France was in deep financial crisis, bread prices were high, and many people resented the privileges of the nobility and clergy.
King Louis XVI called the Estates-General, an old assembly, to raise money. In June, representatives of the common people declared themselves a National Assembly and vowed to write a constitution.
On 14 July, fearing the King would use troops against them, Parisians stormed the Bastille in search of gunpowder. The fortress fell within hours.
In August, the Assembly abolished feudal privileges and adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. The years that followed brought war and violent upheaval. France became a republic in 1792, and in 1799 Napoleon Bonaparte took power.
The revolution's ideas of liberty, equality and citizenship influenced constitutions around the world. France celebrates 14 July as its national day.
- 5 May 1789
- The Estates-General meets
- 14 July 1789
- The storming of the Bastille
- 26 August 1789
- Declaration of the Rights of Man
- 1792
- France becomes a republic
- 1799
- Napoleon takes power
Sources: Britannica · Château de Versailles · BBC History.