The French Revolution represents a major shift in European and World history. Only years previously the French monarchy had appeared, under Louis XIV, The Sun King, to be insurmountable yet by the end of the 18th century France was a republic, regicide had taken place and the people, not the monarch, ruled France.

There were several stages to the French Revolution. Indeed it is interesting to try and pinpoint exactly when the revolution happened.

A chronology of the French Revolution

The Period of Enlightenment

1786

 King Louis XVI and France face bankruptcy.

The French Queen, Marie Antoinette becomes the subject of hatred in France.

1787

Harsh Winter. France suffers famine.

1788

The Estates General is called to meet for the first time since 1614

Famine

1789

Third Estate forms the National Assembly and issues the tennis Court oath.

Bread Riots in Paris

July 14th: Storming of the Bastille

4th August: Declaration of the Rights of Man by the National Assembly

1790

June: Nobility abolished by the National Assembly