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May 5, 1789 meeting with the Estates-General
The head of the states met to discuss France's financial problems. King Louis XVI wanted to discuss the lack of budget funds/ taxes. Because of this, the third estate formed the National Assembly. It is also known as the first mark of the French Revolution. -
Storming of the Bastille
An aggressive mob of the third estate attacked the Bastille Prison. According to the British Library, the storming of the Bastille "...had become a symbol of the monarchy’s dictatorial rule, and the event became one of the defining moments in the Revolution that followed." This event gave the commoners motivation to continue through the French Revolution. https://www.bl.uk/learning/timeline/item106472.html -
Tennis Court Oath
The third estate, in defiance to the first and second estates, made an oath to stay together as the National Assembly until a constitution was made for the people of France. This was important because it caused the declaration of the rights of man to occur. With the declaration of the rights of man, at least some of the population got more rights available to them. -
Approval of the Declaration of the Rights of Man
The Declaration of the Rights of Man gave the commoners knowledge of their rights. This gave the commoners (at least some of them) rights that they might not have held before, and the declaration gave commoners a sense of humanity. This caused some of the aggression between the rich and commoners to cease. -
Women's March on Versailles
The price of bread rose in France. Many women of the time would go and buy bread for their families, but now they could not afford it. This led to a revolt, with thousands of marchers marching through the streets of Paris Marketplace. The women went to the king, where they fought. This eventually led to the migration of the king to Paris, where he would stay until his death. -
Execution of King Louis XVI
King Louis's death was deemed a reality when 380 people voted for his execution (only 310 refused his death). This was the monarch's king, and many commoners despised him; he was the reason the French Revolution began. The death of King Louis gave way for a more citizen-centric law to be instilled, rather than the church and state ruling. -
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Reign of Terror
The reign of terror was the violent time period in which prisoners of the opposite faction were murdered. Radicals arrested people that were sometimes known to be against the revolution. Because of the reign of terror, the French Revolution was preserved. -
Maximillian Robespierre's execution
Maximillian Robespierre was executed for starting the reign of terror, or the execution of enemies to the radicals. Many were done with his leadership- he was responsible for thousands upon thousands of executions. -
Napoleonic code established
Inspired by the French Revolution beliefs, this code was the main influence of many codes to follow. This code made all MEN equal and gave both poor and rich men equality, and gave people property rights. The code essentially stiffened women's and children's rights and made the rights of men stronger. -
Coronation of Napoleon
Napoleon crowned himself, which was not a traditional part of the ceremony. He made an oath not to destroy what had been established in the revolution. This made Napoleon emperor, and would influence many events in the future. -
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Peninsular War
This is when the French opposed the British, Spanish, and Portuguese. They wanted control of the Iberian Peninsula. The Spanish did not want french rule. -
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Napoleon's Invasion of Russia
Napoleon wanted to force Russia to rejoin the Continental blockade of the UK. The invasion eventually led to the french crisis and caused Napoleon to go into exile. -
Napoleon is exiled to Elba
In accordance with the treaty of Fontainebleau, Napoleon is exiled to the islands of Elba. There, he will fail at setting up an army and die in Elba. This caused France to lose an emperor. -
Death of Napoleon
Napoleon dies in Elba from stomach cancer. The result was his death.