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Louis the XIV Calls the Estates General
Leading up to this, France was having economic problems such as a financial crisis that was caused by the participation in the American Revolution and the structure of the French Tax System. After this, the Third Estate formed the National Assembly as a way to take things in their own hands and make their own rules. -
Parisians Storm the Bastille
The Parisians stormed the Bastille in search for the ammunition and to arm themselves as they figured the king was preparing the French army for attack. The Storm of Bastille is an important event in history as it led to the French Revolution and to the series of events that eventually overthrew King Louis XIV. Without the Storm of Bastille the Third Estate would’ve been defeated and still under the unfair laws of King Louis the XIV. -
Writing of the Declaration of the Rights of Man
The Declaration of the Rights of Man was adopted by France’s National Assembly. The basic principle of the Declaration was that all “men are born and remain free and equal in rights”. The Declaration included the major Enlightenment philosophers such as Montesquieu, Rousseau, and John Locke. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Declaration-of-the-Rights-of-Man-and-of-the-Citizen) -
Establishment of the New Constitution
French constitution created by the National Assembly during the French revolution. The monarchy was kept, however, the power was held to the Legislative Assembly, in which was elected by a system of indirect voting. -
Execution of the King and Queen/ Beginning of the Reign of Terror
On January 21 Louis XIV, was executed by the guillotine. Later in the year, on October 16, his wife Marie Antoinette was convicted of treason by a tribunal, and went to the guillotine to be executed.The Reign of Terror began in September 1793 and lasted until the fall of Robespierre in 1794. Robespierre was the leader and in the course of nine months, 16, 000 people were guillotined, however, executions of "internal enemies" of France took place throughout the country. -
Napoleon Overthrows the Directory
Napoleon was a general who had gained many victories on the battlefield, after overthrowing the Directory he established himself First Consul and later would crown himself emperor. As the Directory became more and more corrupt, on November 9, 1799, he overthrew it and established a new government called the "Consulate." -
Napoleon Builds an Empire
The First French Empire was the empire of Napoleon Bonaparte, who had dominant power in much of continental power at the beginning of the 19th century. Napoleon's Empire included Spain, Naples, Italy, and Warsaw. -
Napoleon invades Russia
The French Invasion of Russia, also known as the Russian Campaign was a turning point in Napoleonic Wars. It was a significance in history as it reduced the French and allied invasion forces to a small fraction of their initial strength. -
The Congress of Vienna Meets
After the downfall of Napoleon, the Congress of Vienna was held from September of 1814 to June of 1815. This international conference was held to create a balance among the European powers in such a way to prevent future wars and maintain peace and stability in Europe. -
Napoleon Defeated at Waterloo
This battle took place near Waterloo, Belgium. In this battle, the forces of the French Empire under the leadership of Napoleon, were defeated by the Seventh Coalition and a Prussian Army. The Waterloo Battle put an end to the rule of Napoleon as the emperor of France.
