-
Assembly of the Three Estates
Facing crippling debt, the monarch of France, King Louis XVI assembles the Three Estates. Louis wishes to raise the taxes on the citizens of France, but law states that he can only do so with the approval of the Three Estates. However, what Louis did not predict was that the First Estate and the Second Estate would vote to only raise taxes on the Third Estate. This angers members of the Third Estate, who represent over 95 percent of the French population. -
National Assembly
The National Assembly was created by Third Estate of the Estates- General because of the unfair treatment that the Third Estate was getting. The unfair treatment meaning getting locked out of meetings, not having much of a say, getting only their taxes raised up. The Third Estate getting excluded led them to start the National Assembly. The main goal of the National Assembly was too get rid of the old judicial system and to form a constitutional monarchy which happened in 1791. -
The Storming of the Bastille
The Bastille was a place where political prisoners were kept. A political prisoner was a person who was locked up for their political actions, beliefs. The Third Estate had led the storming to Bastille since the Bastille was a symbol of the monarchy. Eventually a crowd ended up taken place in front of the prison with the crowd yelling the surrender of the prison, removal of canon, and release of arms and gunpowder. Not after long gunfire began and the fight started once the prison gates open. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen was by General Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson. The social contract of Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen basically states “constructs a civil society in which the separate wills of individuals are combined to govern as the “general will”. Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen was the separation of powers which came from Montesquieu to help divide power rather than just one group having it all. -
The March on Versailles
The March on the Palace of Versailles was a march in which was demanding for lower prices on bread and more food. The fear of famine was coming to the Third Estate According to the newspaper at the time there was a royal banquet taking place in which the officers of Versailles welcomed the new ones. This got the people of the Third Estate/commoners mad because while they are out starving the people in the higher estates are eating well and are not trying to do anything to help the Third Estate. -
The Constitution of 1791
The Constitution of 1791 was accepted an happened due to the goal of the National Assembly which was to create a better government and to write the constitution. The new French government would now be having the National Assembly as the legislative body. Next was having the royal ministers and the king making up the executive branch. Finally, the judiciary branch was independent of the other branches. The constitution distinguished between the passive citizens and the active citizens. -
Execution of King Louis XVI
King Louis and his family trying to escape from everything led to their arrestment by Jean-Baptiste, who was a postmaster of a French town. Louis went against his promise to fully implement the Constitution of 1791. When the war of Austria broke out around April 1792, it led to the storming of the Tuileries by Parisian radicals which was on August 10, 1792. After the attack, king’s powers were suspended by the Legislative assembly and was sent to the guillotine. -
Reign of Terror : Creation of the Public Committee Safety
A committee which had power over judicial, military, and legislative efforts. At the time between August 1793- July 1794, the committee was under leadership of Robespierre. The goals of the committee was to tear down remembrance of the previous monarch government and led to very harsh methods like looting and destruction. During this time many people were sent to death if they were suspected of not supporting revolution or spreading rumors about revolution even if there was no proof. -
Robespierre Execution
After a military victory over Austria, Robespierre was overthrown and decapitated. It was the military victory that showed the people that Robespierre was not needed . Robespierre also had to many enemies in the government in which who had wanted him to be executed. Near before Robespierre death he had also ended up losing many Catholic followers due to him making the Supreme Being the government religion. People also didn't like him due to the numerous unnecessary executions. -
The 5- Man Directory
5 Man Directory was committee that governed France 1795-1799. The directory was made of former members of the Convention who voted Louis XVI executed. Roles were to reform economy and fix financial problems. 5 Man Directory did nothing that worked. Relied on army, violence and state budget was just getting worse. Depended on Army in foreign ,domestic affairs, went against unnecessary executions even if they engaged in massacres of civilians. Performed misuse of government power. -
Napoleon's First Marriage: Marie Josèphe Rose Tascher de La Pagerie
Napoleon married Josephine, he loved her and was having an affair with her. A year later was when he proposed to her. Their marriage was not the best. Napoleon’s family didn’t like Josephine ,she was a widow and had two children. Two days after wedding, Napoleon left to lead French army and when gone, Josephine ended up having affairs with people. It was published and embarrassed Napoleon. The letters that Napoleon sent were not loving and he had different affairs with women. -
Napoleon's successful coup d'état on 5-man directory
Napoleon was able to easily take over France because he came at a time where everything was going wrong in France . Napoleon had won many victories and was welcomed and seen as a hero in France, but when he came back he had seen everything in chaos and took that opportunity to make an alliance with other political figures and planned a coup on the 5 man directory in which succeeded. Napoleon's power had gotten confirmed by the Constitution. -
The First Consul
Napoleon became First Consul from popularity and military victories. Napoleon was to get a minor role in the government at first but he rewrote the plans of government so he could have more power/authority. This had led to vote from the people in which he won since he was popular. Napoleon's revisit on the constitution led to the position of First Consul in which held more power than all the other consuls. He was very sure that he was going to hold this position for around 10 years. -
Creation of Confederation of the Rhine
The Confederation of the Rhine was created by Napoleon. The creation of the Confederation of the Rhine so far benefited Napoleon’s French Empire. The Confederation was meant to act as a buffer state to stop possible aggression from Austria, Russia, Prussia against France. The Confederation also provided France protection in exchange for military personnel and resources. These resources would end up mostly going to the French army in which were occupying western and southern Germany. -
Invasion of Russia
Napoleon led the invasion to Russia. The purposes for this was Russia withdrawing Napoleon's continental system and freeing Poland from Russia since Poland was controlled by Russia. Russia suffered harsh winters and lack of supplies due to lack of resources up there. Napoleon was only focused on winning and didn’t care about the extreme weather, the disease, and conditions in which he brought his troops in for purpose of invading Russia. Caused many to die and led Napoleon to retreat. -
The Fall of Paris
The fall of Paris happened due to effects of the invasion of Russia. There were numerous casualties on Napoleon's Grande Armee and this showed a weak spot ,gave advantage to Prussia and Austria. Prussia and Austria didn't hesitate to form a Coalition against France during the time. The march on Paris had begun with Tsar Alexander I of Russia and King Fredrick of Prussia due weaknesses of opponents. The commanders of the French had surrendered the city to Tsar Alexander I of Russia. -
The Battle of Waterloo
The Battle of Waterloo was final battle of the French Revolution and last battle Napoleon Boneparte ever fought in. The Battle of Waterloo was fought present day Belgium. Napoleon’s French forces were outnumbered by combined armies of the English and Prussians, led by British officer the Duke of Wellington. When Napoleon was defeated, the French throne was given to King Louis XVIII. Napoleon was exiled to a island named Saint Helena, he died from natural causes a few years later.