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Calling of the Estates General
The Estates General (consisted of three ranks: the First Estate of the clergy, the Second Estate of the nobility, the Third Estate of everyone else) was summoned by Louis XVI in order to propose solutions to his financial problems. The assembly faced a deadlock when the agenda of how the estates voted emerged. -
Voting Issues and the Tennis Court Oath
The conduct of how the Estates voted created public debate. The nobility wanted votes to be taken by estate, but the Third Estate wanted an individual vote. This controversy had caused the formation of the National Assembly when the Third Estate had invited the clergy and nobles to form a new legislative body, in which some did. A few days later, when locked out of their usual meeting place, the National Assembly met in an indoor tennis court, pledging to sit until France formed a constitution. -
The Storming of Bastille
The National Constituent Assembly’s request of a constitutional monarchy was refused by Louis. In response he assembled troops near Paris. This caused anxiety among the citizens, to which they started to create a citizen militia. They marched to the Bastille (a fortress where citizens were once held) in search of weapons for their militia. Troops began firing into the crowd, killing 98 people. Disturbances like the fall of Bastille caused the Great Fear to sweep across the French countryside. -
The Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen
The Great Fear, caused by Bastille and many other conflicts in other cities, had many peasants venting their anger out over rights and properties they had lost. Their rebellions led to the application of France’s laws to all citizens. This is when the assembly issued the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, proclaiming that the government were to protect the rights of liberty, property, and personal safety. -
The Women’s March on Versailles
Several thousand Parisian women marched to Versailles in demand for more bread. The King agrees to the requests of the crowd, but the crowd also insists on Louis and his family returning to Paris. He follows these requests and things stay quiet for a short period of time. -
Civil Constitution of the Clergy
In order to reorganize France, the National Constituent Assembly forms the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, turning the Roman Catholic Church of France into a branch of the state. This causes opposition from the French church, dividing France between religious devotion and revolutionary loyalty. The pope condemned the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, marking the opening of the church’s offense against liberalism. -
The King Tries to Escape
In attempt to avoid the revolution that was brewing, Louis XVI is convinced by the queen and some nobles to flee, but was caught and returned to Paris. This caused the assembly leaders to see Louis as a counterrevolutionary. Austria and Prussia agreed to protect the royal family, but this declaration was meaningless, and revolutionaries were convinced that they were surrounded by foreign powers that could easily defeat France. -
France Declares War on Austria and Prussia
The revolutionaries felt that the government could be easily defeated by foreign powers, and that going to war would unify the country, so they declared war on Austria and Prussia. The war led to a second revolution, where the constitutional monarchy was overthrown and a republic was established. -
Attack on Tuileries
The war had gone badly, threatening French politics. A large crowd had invaded Tuileries, forcing Louis and Marie Antoinette to take refuge. Many royal guards and Parisians were killed, the royal family was captured, and the king’s political power was suspended. -
Creation of the National Convention
Without a king, France was in need of a new assembly to write a democratic constitution. The Paris commune called upon the Legislative assembly to write one. This new body, called the Convention, declared France a republic. -
The Execution of Louis
After being convicted of scheming against the government, Louis was beheaded. This shocked Europe and left France at war within itself, and with many parts of Europe. -
Creation of the Committee of Public Safety
After the killing of Louis, France breaks out into a civil war and at war with other countries. The Convention created the Committee of Public Safety in order to save the revolution in and outside of France. -
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Republic of Virtue
With the pressures of war, the Committee and Convention easily were permitted due process, which guaranteed that any law is reasonable. This allowed for the dechristianization of France during the “Republic of Virtue”. A new calendar was created, the Cathedral of Notre Dame was renamed the Temple of Reason, churches were closed, and the clergy and followers were executed. This created the “worship of reason” among the citizens and alienation of the French provinces from the government. -
Thermidorian Reaction
In order to neutralize the revolution after the Reign of Terror had ended, the Thermidorian Reaction began, establishing a new constitutional regime. Uprisings were crushed and the wars were other countries were going as well. The Convention made peace with Spain and Prussia and cut the ties with the san-sculottes, causing prices to rise. -
Robespierre is Executed
Robespierre emerged as a new leader of the Committee of Public safety. He believed that dechristianization was too abstract for the citizens, so he presided over the religion of “the Cult of Supreme Being”. His opponents had him arrested after this event. When Robespierre was executed the next day, the Reign of Terror died with him. -
Napoleon Defends the National Convention
The rise of prices had led to many food riots, but one of these riots were suppressed when Napoleon Bonaparte commanded the cannon, dispersing the crowd. Napoleon, already a commander, had also tried to capture Egypt from the Ottoman Empire, when the French fleet was left destroyed and stranded in Egypt. -
The Consulate is Established
After leaving his men stranded in Egypt, Napoleon returned to France and overthrew the Directory. He issued a constitution and gave himself the title of First Consul. The constitution approved by a rigged election, and a new government (dominated by Napoleon) called the Consulate brought an end to the Revolution. Peace and order was restored in France. -
Concordant With the Pope
In order to make peace with the French Catholics who were angered by revolutionary religious attacks, Napoleon issued an agreement with the Pope. This caused all the clergy to resign and be replace in order to gain paid salaries. They also swore loyalty to the state and had supremacy of the state over the church established. -
Napoleonic Code
After Napoleon is appointed consul for life, he sets laws with principles similar to the old regime. The Napoleonic code fell short when giving full equality. Men were granted control over their children and wives, labor unions are forbidden, and the rights of employees are controlled by the employer. -
Napoleon is Crowned Emperor
To strengthen his power, Napoleon made use of fears created by a failed assassination attempt and a new constitution that indicated Napoleon as France’s emperor. He summoned the pope to take part in his coronation, but crowned himself in order to show that he did not depend on the approval of the church. After his coronation, Napoleon declares war when Britain issues an ultimatum to him. -
The Continental System is Established
In order for Napoleon to be secure to defeat Britain, he uses the Continental System. This strategy cuts off British trade with Europe in hopes of crippling the British economy, but instead European economies are harmed, causing great opposition toward Napoleon. Britain thrives off trade with the Americas and eastern Mediterranean. -
Invasion of Spain
To rid of Portugal’s alliance with Britain, a French army invaded the Iberian Peninsula. Napoleon places his brother on the Spanish throne when a revolt breaks out, and attacks are placed on the privileges of the church. This causes a guerilla war, and Britain sends in an army in order to contribute to the campaign of ending Napoleon’s rule. -
Invasion of Russia
The alliance between France and Russia began to falter as the Continental System had harmed Russia’s economy, to which they withdrew from the system and prepared for war. In order to halt Russia’s military threat, Napoleon sends 600,000 men to invade the country. Russian generals stripped the countryside of supplies, weakening Napoleon’s army. -
Battle of Leipzig
With a weakened army, Napoleon fought the bloodiest battle of the Napoleonic Era at Moscow, ending in 30,000 casualties. He returned to Paris and raised another 350,000 men. The last coalition against Napoleon caused the Russians to be joined by Austria and Prussia, who defeated Napoleon in a battle at Leipzig. Napoleon stepped down from the throne and was exiled into the island of Elba.