Cause and Effect Relationships during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Era

By Cailynn
  • Excessive Spending + Poor Harvest led to Financial Crisis in France

    This was very significant in being one of the big leading causes of many riots and the Revolution. This caused Louis XVI to call the Estates-General which also lead to the National Assembly being formed.
  • King Louis XVI calls Estates General

    King Louis XVI calls Estates General
    King Louis XVI called the Estates-General to help solve the national debt problem which was caused by excessive spending and poor harvest. This lead to the forming of the National Assembly and signaled the outbreak of the French Revolution.
  • The Storming of Bastille

    The Storming of Bastille
    The Storming of Bastille was significant because it was a symbol of the old order. This was a huge inspiration for the Women's March on Versailles.
  • The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen

    The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
    This event is significant because it directly challenged King Louis XVI. This shows that Louis XVI was not very liked and affected the decision to execute him later on.
  • Women's March on Versailles

    Women's March on Versailles
    This protest happened because people were near starvation due to the scarcity and high price of bread. This forced the royal family to move to Paris. This even equals in importance as the Storming of the Bastille and was a huge inspiration.
  • Legislative Declares War on Austria

    This was in an attempt to spread the Revolution and destroy other monarchies. This lead to the French Revolutionary War and was a cause of Louis XVi's execution by guillotine.
  • Louis XVI Executed at Guillotine

    Louis XVI Executed at Guillotine
    Louis XVI's execution was significant because it is said to be the last in a long line of Absolute Monarchies in France. It also gave way to democracy. Louis XVI's main downfall was the way he spent the nation's money and how much debt they were in.
  • Robespierre's Reign of Terror

    Robespierre's Reign of Terror
    The Reign of Terror sought to protect the Republic from "enemies within." It became very excessive and people began to grow tired of the fear, suspicion, and paranoia because of the terror. This cause the Directory to be installed which ended Robespierre's Reign of Terror.
  • Directory Installed

    The Directory was installed due to the Reign of Terror but became corrupted. It ended the Reign of Terror but played a huge part in Napoleon's rise to power.
  • Napoleon's Coup D'etat

    This event is significant because it overthrew the system of government in France through the Directory and is viewed as the end of the French Revolution. This event caused Napoleon to be declared emperor because of his rise to power during this time.
  • Napoleon is Declared Emperor

    Napoleon is Declared Emperor
    Napoleon being declared emperor is significant because it showed his strength and quelled any potential uprisings due to this even by proclaiming himself as the highest authority in France during this time. This was an effect of Napoleon's Coup D'etat because it led to showing people who was in charge and the most powerful.
  • Continental System is Implemented

    The Continental System allowed manufacturing to be stimulated in some parts of France, it damaged many regions and weakened Napoleon's control over the seas. This event caused France to weaken and to later allow the Spanish Nationalists to overthrow Napoleon.
  • Spanish Nationalists Overthrow Napoleon

    Spanish Nationalists Overthrow Napoleon
    This event is significant because it showcases the downfall of a powerful emperor. An effect of Napoleon being overthrown by the Spanish Nationalists was him being exiled to Elba.
  • Napoleon Defeated at Leipzig (Battle of the Nations)

    Napoleon Defeated at Leipzig (Battle of the Nations)
    This event was only one of the beginning stages of the downfall of Napoleon. The Continental System was one of the causes as to why Napoleon joined this war. This was his attempt at trying to force Emperor Alexander I of Russia to join the Continental System.
  • Napoleon is Exiled to Elba

    Napoleon is Exiled to Elba
    Napoleon's exile to Elba signaled the end of France's long domination of Europe. It was an effect of the Spanish Nationalists overthrowing Napoleons reign and