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Summoned by King Louis XVI, it was a general assembly reuniting the three states of the realm: the clergy, the nobility and the commoners. It ended when the former funded the National Assembly and were recognized by the King.
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One of France's most symbolic events. This building was a penitentiary for political prisoners with, for Parisians, represented the monarchy's abuse of power. -
Adopted by the National Assembly, this texts marked history while defending the revolutionary values : freedom, equality, security and resistance to oppression. -
After the defeat of the absolute monarchy, this Constitution was created to fulfill one of the main principles of the revolution : constitutionality. -
The first French Republic. This period was quite unstable, characterized by the fall of the monarchy, the creation of the National convention and the first attempt at democracy.
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Period marked by the great quantity of public executions it saw, notably under the accusations of treason by the Committee of Public Safety.
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He was accused of treason following the discovery of documents plotting against the National Assembly and the publication of a paper by an Austrian commander, threatening with the destruction of Paris if the safety of the royal family was ever put at risk. After multiple months in custody, he and his family were found guilty, leading to his execution at the Place de la Révolution. He was beheaded with a guillotine, instrument he had helped refining. -
Maximilien Robespierre, maximum figure of the Reign of Terror was condamned for his responsibility on the radicalization of the Committee of Public Safety during this period. -
Final four years of the Revolution. This period was heavily marked by it's financial and international relationship's crisis, while trying to mend the damages and politics left from the Reign of Terror.
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Often considered the end date of the French Revolution, in this event marked the overgrown of the government leading to the installation of the French Consulate. -
Period where Napoleon Bonaparte established himself as the head of the state, and paved the entry of a more authoritarian and centralized republic. Previous to the First Empire, this could be considered a military dictatorship.
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In the sake of civil peace, Napoleon Bonaparte began negotiations with the Catholic Church highest authorities, religion banned from the country after the French Revolution. Catholicism was then recognized as the majoritarian religion and its cult centers were reopened, but with a considerable estatal influence. -
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This civil code defined the bases of French society. It defends the equality between all male citizens, as well as fundamentals freedoms, like the freedom of contract and the protection of private property, to name some of it's content. This text was first introduced in the French territory, but soon became an influence for most Occidental countries's civil codes. -
The Senate approves documents naming Napoleon as French Emperor, therefore transforming the government. -
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Plebiscite concerning the establishment of a French Empire, this referendum was officially approved by almost half of the voting population, with more than 99% of positive votes. -
Opulent event, Napoleon held his and his wife Josephine's coronation in the presence of the Pope Pius VII, as a way to legitimate his governing. This was, he could gain prestige internationally and could grant the establishment of his dynasty. -
This expression refers to the forbiddance of any English goods entering the territory imposed by Napoleon I, which concerned most of the European continent, under French domination. Him and his family had been seeing great expansion and domination success, but as Great Britain was their biggest menace, this was his way of weakening its economical growth. -
Although Spain had been allies, Napoleon decided to install his brother, Joseph Bonaparte on the throne, under the excuse of worrying about the government stability. This was terribly received by its population, with begun uprising soon after. These conflicts were controlled by Napoleon, but after his departure for Paris and the exhaustion of his troops, the Spanish triumphed and regained their monarchy in June of 1809. European countries understood that France was not invencible anymore. -
It's highest territorial extension was reached in this year. -
After having declared war on April and some optimistic advances from the French military, the main antagonist from this conflict was the weather. The retreat began in October, but rumors of a coup d'état in Paris made the march urgent with lead to the loss of many lives, especially while crossing the swollen river of Berezina. Only 20 thousand soldiers came back. -
After the abdication of Napoleon I, the provisory government decided to call for the next in line of their infamous monarchy, to take the country's lead. He would be King of France for the first time until March 20th, 1815. -
Losing the war agains the Sixth Coalition, Napoleon I signed his abdication without conditions, even though he first intended to leave the power to his son, Napoleon II. -
Period designing the return of the House of Bourbon to the French monarchy, briefly interrupted by the Hundred Days War. It was characterized for being an extremely conservatory government, trying to come back to the Ancient Regime's ways, but being confronted to the Revolution's changes. Finally, this era was mostly pacific, economically positive and paved the way for the development of industrialization.
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Agreement between Austria, Russia and Prussia and rectified by Napoleon. This treaty ended with Napoleon's governing and was banished from the country, to the Mediterranean island of Elba. -
This document restored the dynasty of the Bourbons, by installing a Parliamentary Monarchy, heavily based on the Ancient Regime's values but with some elements from the Revolution. It promised to keep most liberties, however it gave great power to the King. -
Guided by the principles of order, conservatism and religion, this congress gave place to the creation of alliances between the authoritarian monarchies ruling all over Europe.
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Napoleon arrived to Golfe-Juan from Elba with the intention of regaining his powers. He marches to Paris, encountering a great amount of support in non-royalist regions. -
Four days prior to Napoleon's final abdication, this defeat to the Seventh Coalition marked the definitive end of the First Empire residues. -
Following the French defeat of the Waterloo's Battle, Napoleon lacked political support in Paris, which made him finally step down in favor of his son, Napoleon II. However, after just a few days, the Chamber of Representatives created a Provisional government lead "by the people", replacing him. A month later, the Imperial family was detained by the British in their intention to reach the New Continent, and Napoleon was exiled to the island of Saint Helena. -
This was a coalition between monarchist great powers, beginning with Austria, Prussia and Russia, and later additions the United Kingdom and France. Its main objective was preventing the spread of liberalist movements in the name of peace. -
Fifth in the succession British line, nobody thought she would ever reign the country. -
He died in exile, in the Atlantic island of Saint Helena. He was buried in Paris 19 years later, in December of 1840. -
He died of sickness in Versailles. He was replaced by his brother, who took the name Charles X. -
This revolutionary wave was mainly lead by nationalist doctrines. There were insurrections in Belgium, France, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland and Poland.
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With international aids, from the kingdoms of Prussia, Great Britain and France, the greeks gained independency from the Ottoman rule. This after the massacre lived by the citizens of Chios by the colonizers in April 1822, where thousands of greeks found their end in an Ottoman mission to extinguish Nationalist movements. -
The Chambers are dismissed by the King two years sooner, acting against him when the opposition is elected in majority at the next elections. -
Exposing the King Charles X's desire to reestablish the Ancient Regime, in these he mandates: the suspension of the liberty of press, the reduction of the electoral body and the dissolution of the chamber of Deputies. -
This rule promised a more liberal constitutional monarchy, giving more power to the Parliament and lead by the popular Louis-Philippe of Orleans.
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After a long period of unconformity and the publishing of oppressive orders given by the King Charles X, people in Paris barricaded the city and fought against the government. This concluded in the removal of the King and his replacing by the Louis-Philippe, his cousin, being seen as the "people's King".
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Influenced by the French July revolution. Under a provisional government, Belgium separated from the Netherlands. -
This law established the principle where primary education should be accessible to everyone. -
Napoleon Bonaparte's nephew, Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, tries to overthrow the government, but is ultimately unsuccessful because of its badly organization. He is judged but is finally put in freedom. -
On June 20th she ascends to the British throne, when King William IV passed away. She was 18 years old. -
Its said that over 700 thousand slaves were emancipated in this period. Former owners where economically compensated and former slaves didn't receive any aid for their survival. -
Aged of 21 years, the Queen marries her cousin, with whom she would bear 9 children in the span of 17 years. -
Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte illegally comes back from the United States. He tries to overthrow the government again, but most of his companions are retained and he is put in prison for life. However, he escapes in 1846. -
The most important revolutionary wave in Europe. Guided by a rather liberal, democratic and national mindset, this era saw uprisings mainly in the territories of France, Austria, Prussia and Italy. -
Even if the new King promised to be more liberal, his rule soon was reveled to be quite conservatory and authoritarian. This lead to the Paris insurrection, culminating with the king's abdication, the power taken by a provisory government, on February 24. -
Proclaimed in front of the Hôtel de Ville, this government established the right to work, the right of free association and gave birth to National Workshops. It also put in place the universal masculine vote, while degrading the legal women's status. However, this period is considered to be a short taste of a democratic and social regime.
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It's established for every male French citizen aged of at least 21 years. -
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Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, Napoleon's nephew, is elected president during the first universal male suffrage's elections. He won with almost 75% of the total votes. -
A law was imposed, instating that a male citizen is obliged to have lived in the same zone for at least 3 years for being able to participate in the voting. This excluded a great part of the lower-class populations, that often had to move in the search of employment. -
Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, French president, stages a self-coup in order to stay in power. He dissolved the National Assembly, imposed a new constitution, that granted him with more powers, and ends with the Second Republic. -
Napoleon III consulted the people for the reinstallation of the Empire. He won these elections. -
After one year of preparations, the Second Empire was born alongside a new Constitution. Even though it was a highly authoritarian government, it began a liberalization that accompanied the modernization of the country.
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Commissioned by Napoleon III, this gigantic project lead by Baron Haussmann had the goal of renovating the city. It costed the demolition of entire neighborhoods and a fortune for the city, but it had a great legacy, imposing the most recognizable architectural style of Paris.
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The French emperor marries a Eugénie de Montijo, born in the Spanish nobility. As empress, she was very involved in politics, gaining major criticism. -
This seven month long international exhibition was the first held in France, and second after the British's Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations. There where 27 countries participating and was visited by more than 5 million people. -
Putting an end to the Crimean wars, this French victory with other powers against the Russian Empire helped the Empire to position itself as a solid European influence. This treaty established the neutrality of the Black Sea. -
This agreement suppressed taxes from the main goods exchanged by these nations, like French wine or British coal. This policy is often marked as the beginning of a golden age of trade in the continent, allowing its industrial development. -
Following its independence, Mexico lived a very unstable political era during the IXX century, therefore delaying the debts payment to European countries. This was the final motivation for the French emperor to intervene in the content, as he intended to conquer more American territories. And even after other powers agreed to withdraw their troops in 1862, he insisted and eventually conquered. Napoleon put Maximilian I on the throne, but his liberal and carefree reign lead to his execution(1876) -
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Impulsed by the emperor, this law permitted the right to strike under certain conditions (allowing non-strikers to work), which was suppressed during the French Revolution. -
The Second Empire saw great investments on the construction of railways, counting with more than 18 000 km of these in 1870. However, it was with the conclusion of the construction of this railway station was the maximum symbol of the train development in France. -
This exposition came when the Paris Haussmann's works were very advanced, and marked the culminant point of the Empire. They were held in the Champs de Mars, with 32 participating nations. -
These law helped widen the French education, as schools became free and female primary education was granted.
Refer to "Primary school becomes mandatory". -
This route of tray is still relevant, as it connects Europe and Asia without the need of contouring the African continent. The project was administrated by an anglo-french company, until it was nationalized by Egypt in 1956. -
Conflict between France and a coalition between germanic provinces headed by Prussia, which lead to the German unification. This war was first declared by Napoleon III, convinced that his army could defeat its opponent. But he was wrong. The germans were equipped with higher technology, triumphing in this conflict.
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During the Franco-Prussian wars, this battle put France in serious disadvantage. In fact, during this battle, the emperor was captured, many troops lost and the war had to be continued by a previsionary government, as Napoleon III capitulated. -
The Third Republic was created after the Franco-Prussian war, the dissolvement of the Paris Commune and in a time of socio-political unsteadiness. Based on a parliamentary supremacy, this period was notably marked by its stability, industrialization and establishment of social service. It was also an age of colonial expansion. This government saw its fall during the WW2, with the creation of the Vichy government.
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This four month siege culminated by the French defeat by Prussian powers, the establishment of the German Empire with the Emperor proclamation in Versailles (including their appropriation of the disputed Alsace-Lorraine) and Paris Commune. -
After their success in the Franco-Prussian wars, this was the first step to the creation of German state as its known today. -
Headed by people from the workin-class, this short government began as uprisings refusing to recognize the authority of the new republic. Its mandates and rules, were mostly influenced by left-wing political ideals, and anarchists, communists, feminist, and socialist are said to have played important roles during the two months of the Commune. However, it ended with an estimated of 20 thousand executions by the National Army. This event inspired artists and philosophers, like Marx or Engels. -
He died during his exile to England, due to sickness, while watching closely the political French situation. His son, enrolled in the British army, died 6 years later and his wife, lived until 1920. It was the end of the Bonaparte Dynasty. -
This song demonstrates the rejection of the monarchy and the new national values -
After the rise of population and the demand for regulation on kids factory workers, not only education was opened for girls in 1867, but elementary school became obligatory and laic with the Jules Ferry's Laws. -
It defines the rights and obligations of the press, as well as every citizen wanting to express themselves in public space. -
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After the false conviction of the jewish officer Alfred Dreyfus for treason, the affair divides the French people, as many believe in his innocence (Émile Zola with his letter "J'accuse..." for example) while others back up his culpability, mainly influenced by antisemitic news papers. He was proven innocent, but this event lead to the radicalization of many, possibly partially explaining social phenomenons during the WWII.
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She died of old age, at 81, and completed 63 years of reign. She expanded the territory and consolidated it as a great empire, with many colonies all around the world. Under her rule a great industrialization of the country also began, which she accompanied with social reforms, like the mandatory primary education and regulation of payment and working conditions. -
In an essay to strengthen the national public and laic education, a law forbidding religious orders members from teaching is passed. -
Won by 179 against 103, this law was proclaimed in the effort of diminishing the political influence of religion, but it was badly received by French catholics. -
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Leader of the socialist mouvement SFIO, he's assassinated by the nationalist Raoul Villain. Jures was an important pacifist political figure, who tried to prevent France from entering the Great War. -
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Planes used to be used mainly for information, but they were armed. It is one of the examples of technological advances seen in the First War. -
Systematic elimination of the Armenian ethnic group by the Ottoman Empire. -
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The German surrender, as they were weakened by the war, the economical sanctions and their own internal conflicts. -
This treaty imposes great sanctions for Germany, judged as only responsible for the war. It is condemned to the pay of indemnities, lost part of its territory and is demilitarized. -
These were defensive lines finished in 1938, created with the intention of making more difficult the entry of the country by invaders from the West.
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After the German invasion of Poland, France and the UK officially make a war declaration against Germany. -
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For a second time, this invasion paved the way for the German invasion of France. -
This meant the end of the third Republic, as shortly after the head of state announced the creation of the "French State", commonly known as the Vichy Regime. France was reduced to half of its territory, and began a cooperation strategy, sending jewish people over to the German, whom occupied the other half of the country. However, this regime was short, as the French were called to rebel by Charles de Gaulle, from a UK radio station.