1. Convening the Estates-General:
In 1789, King Louis XVI agreed to convene the Estates-General, a representative body of the three estates (clergy, nobility, and commoners), in response to the growing financial crisis and pressure for reform.
2. Tennis Court Oath:
When the commoners, who formed the Third Estate, were locked out of their meeting hall, Louis XVI hesitated to intervene and allowed the Third Estate to form the National Constituent Assembly on the tennis court. This marked a significant moment in the revolution as it asserted the will of the people against royal authority.
3. Royal Session and Dismissal of Necker:
Louis XVI attempted to reassert his power by holding a royal session in June 1789, annulling the resolutions of the National Assembly, and dismissing the popular finance minister, Jacques Necker. This action sparked outrage and further radicalized the revolutionary movement.
4. Storming of the Bastille:
The dismissal of Necker led to the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, a pivotal event that symbolized the people's defiance of royal authority and their determination to achieve change.
5. Acceptance of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen:
In August 1789, Louis XVI reluctantly accepted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which proclaimed individual liberty, equality, and the sovereignty of the people.
6. Women's March on Versailles:
In October 1789, a large group of women marched to Versailles to demand bread and reforms. Louis XVI addressed the crowd, promising to move the royal family back to Paris.
7. Civil Constitution of the Clergy:
In 1790, the National Assembly passed the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, which asserted state control over the Catholic Church and required priests to swear an oath of loyalty to the nation. Louis XVI initially opposed this measure but later reluctantly agreed to it.
8. Flight to Varennes:
In June 1791, Louis XVI and his family attempted to flee France but were captured at Varennes. This event eroded trust in the monarchy and damaged Louis XVI's credibility.
9. Suspension and Execution:
In August 1792, the monarchy was suspended, and Louis XVI was imprisoned. Following a trial, he was found guilty of treason and executed by guillotine in January 1793.
In summary, Louis XVI's response to the National Assembly evolved over time. Initially resistant, he gradually conceded to the demands of the revolution, but his attempts to maintain his authority ultimately proved futile in the face of the growing revolutionary fervor and the desire for a more democratic and representative government.