French and Haitian Revolutions Illustrated Timeline

By hfritzler

  • Meeting of the Estates General

    Deputies from all Three Estates in France met to vote on a new land tax. In fear of being overruled by the first Two Estates, the Third Estate formed the National Assembly.

  • The Storming of the Bastille

    Revolutionaries from the Third Estate fought their way into the Bastille (a heavily guarded fortress that held much of France's military equipment), and took what they could. The storming of the Bastille sparked the beginning of, and gave momentum to the French Revolution.

  • Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen

    The National Assembly constructs a document, outlining the rights of citizens and the government's duties.This document eventually came to inspire other revolutions, such as the Haitian.

  • March on the Versailles

    Due to food shortages, a group of women stormed into the Palace of Versailles, demanding answers. Because of this, King Louis XIV was taken to Paris, never to return to Versailles.

  • Gens De Colour Demand Equal Rights from France

    Gens De Colour, or people of color, demand color equality in France. This affected slave owners, as it would eventually end up in slave abolition.

  • French National Assembly Grants Free Blacks full French Rights in Saint Domingue.

    The National Assembly believe that slaves will help them in their slave revolt, so they grant them rights. Slave owners see opportunity to gain political independence, leading to a civil war.

  • The Beheading of King Louis XIV

    The Royal Family is imprisoned, and after being put on trial for treason, King Louis XIV is publicly executed. The French Monarchy is officially abolished and the line of kings is finished off.
  • Period: to

    The Reign of Terror

    This was a period in which all suspected of opposing the revolutionaries were killed. An estimated total of 27,000 people died. One thing that came out of the Reign of Terror was that France saw de-Christianization, as many of the religious figures were killed.

  • French Forces Admit Defeat to the Slave Armies and Evacuate Forces

    Once losing to the Haitian revolutionaries, Napoleon accepts defeat and watches Haiti gain independence. In the process, France loses 50,000 men.

  • Colony of Saint Domingue is Abolished

    Jean Jacques Dessalines publishes declaration of independence that abolishes the "Saint Domingue" colony. This becomes an example set for future generations of Haitians.

  • Napoleon is Emperor

    Napoleon establishes the Napoleonic Code and the new French Empire. During his time of power, Napoleon leads France into many wars until he is finally defeated at the Battle of Waterloo.