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SIgning of the Treaty of Paris
The 1763 Treaty of Paris was signed by France, Partugal, Great Britan, and Spain. It ended the Seven Years War, also knows as the French and Indian War. -
Louis XVI Becomes King
The young Louis XVI takes over as king of France. This is economically detrimental to France because of his poor spending habits and excentric lifetyle. -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independance is signed in the English colonies. Lots of the inspiration drawn from in this document came from enlightenment ideas in Europe. -
France Financially Aids America
France begins to finance part of the American war expenses, which puts a damper on their economy. -
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Bad Harvests Increase Food Prices
During this time, France had two weak harvests. This caused the prices of all food to inflate, but bread prices increased significantly. Having two bad harvests in a row was a factor in the economic decline of France. -
Meeting of the Estates-General
The Estates-General consisted of the representation of all three estates. The first and second estates had 300 members each, and the third estate had 600 members. They met on this day to discuss the state of France, and the third estate lobbied for a reform of government. -
The Tennis Court Oath
On this day in history, the Third Estate decided to break away from the First and Second Estates and meet alone. They did this because King Louis XVI wouldn't allow them into the Estates-General meeting. The Third Estate decided to meet on a tennis court and take an oath to not rest until they had developed a constitution that protected the rights of all people equally. -
The Creation of the National Assembly
On the same day that the Tennis Court Oath takes place, the National Assembly is formed by the third estate. This replaces the Estates-General. -
Storming of the Bastille
The Third Estate rebels breaks into the Bastille and steals gunpowder for themselves. They add what they've taken to their arsenal and use it against the first two estates. -
Old Regime Ends
This day officially marks the end of the Old Regime, or the way things were run before the revolution in France. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
On this day, the National Assembly approved the document known as the Declaration of the Rights of Man. This document listed the natural rights of all men, as well as other ideas drawn from the enlightenment era. -
Royal Family Attempts to Escape
Louis XVI and his wife attempt an escape in order to avoid death. -
Declaration of the Rights of Womend
On this day, Olympe de Gouges publishes the Declaration of the Rights of Women. -
Reign of Terror Begins
Robespierre and his cabinet of 9 members take over the government in France to begin the Reign of Terror. -
Louis XVI Executed
The former king of France is killed by the guillotine. Citizens of France rejoice. -
Robespierre is Executed
The leader of the Reign of Terror is executed by the guillotine. -
Napoleon Begins His Reign
On this day, Napoleon overthrows the revolutionaries currently in power and begins his quest to return France to its former glory. -
Napoleon Becomes Emperor
Napoleon takes the throne as emperor of France by force. While many citizens wanted this to happen, this is still considered tyranny. -
Battle of Trafalgar
Napoleon battles the Spaniards in Spain in a very significant battle. -
The Battle of Waterloo
This battle was one of the most detrimental to the success of Napoleon's army. He lost this battle to the Seventh Coalition. -
Factory Act
The Factory Act of 1833 ensures that young children and women are not allowed to work in factories.
