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King Louis XVI calls the Estates General
Because of failed implementation of multiple taxes because of the lack of approval of the Estates General. Louis XVI calls the Estates back into session after about 113 years. This gave all the people reason to believe in democracy and a more representative system because of the fervor of electing their representatives. This would also lead to the blatant neglect of the 3rd estate and the tennis court oath and the national assembly that would follow this meeting. -
Storming of the Bastille
Because of the increased presence of the King's troops in Paris following public unrest with the constant economic crisis and the failure of the estates General to alleviate it, many people would storm the Bastille, an armory and prison for weapons to arm themselves with. Panicked guards would kill about 98 people. The public revolt would thus begin not only in Paris but around France. -
The Great Fear in the Country Side
Caused by the Storming of the Bastille. As the urban poor stormed for arms, the rural poor burned and ransacked the homes and documents of their manner lords. Documents detailing dues and privileges would all be burned and nobility across the country would flee from the violent throngs of people. In order to address this, the National Convention would adopt the Declaration of Rights of Man, which would appease the poor by granting more equality. -
The National Asssembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
Was caused by the great fear and a need to strip the special privileges and rights that nobles had lauded over the common people for centuries. This would encourage people to look for more rights and do away with a monarchy as a whole. -
The Constitution of 1791 sets up a Constitutional monarchy in France
Caused by the Women's march on versailles and the king moving to Paris. The upper middle class people of the national assembly follows him and disolve the monarch as an official title in France. They also pressure the king into creating a national assmebly. The pressures of the assembly would eventually lead the king and queen to attempt fleeing, however they would be captured, returned to paris, tried, and finally killed. -
Louis XVI is executed at the Guillotine
After attempting to flee and being captured, the King would be suspended from all his duties, imprisoned and the national assembly would be elected out in favor of the national convention and the republic of France. The infighting between the parties of the Republic and the reign of terror would create the conditions that would help Napoleon take over down the road. -
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Robespierre's Reign of Terror
Through silencing of any and all critics through harsh military action and economic conditions, Robespierre, the Committee for Public Safety, and the national convention that supported them would create a strict dictatorship that would bring a temporary peace in France. However, without constant chaos, as soon as the economic restrictions were taken back the whole temporary peace fell apart and provided conditions for another change in government to the constitution with a directory. -
Directory is installed
caused by National Convention decreasing emergency economic controls after having somewhwat stable politics in france. Would lead to popular discontent becase they were a weak dictatorship and runaway inflation would make life in France hard. -
Napoleon's coup d'etat, overthrowing the directory
The directory used war to solve the rampant economic problems of the time and they used the army to silence any conservative or monarchial deputies they had. What was problematic was that they did not do this well. Many of the middle class thinkers who had brought the enlightenment to France in the 1790's would band again in favor of a stronger Dictatorship with a charismatic, charming leader. That is where Napoleon comes in from his victories w/public recognition of his accomplishments in war. -
Napoleon is declared Emperor
Napoleon after conquering near by land and areas in an attempt to solve the wars that the previous administrations had started, began to see himself as the rightful conqueror of all of Europe. This would encourage him to make war with every other country in Europe. This would eventually lead to his downfall through the defeat in Russia and the Mediterranean sea. -
Battle of Trafalgar
Would renew fighting and create reason to solidify Napoleon's post as emperor of Europe. This would also destroy his naval fleet and prompt the assumption of the continental system. -
The Continental System is Implemented
Caused by the need to attack Britain and not having a fleet because it was destroyed by Lorde Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar. -
Spanish Nationalists Overthrow Napoleon
Caused by Napoleon proclaiming himself the Emperor of Europe. Spanish Catholic nationalists did not want to be a French satellite, providing for France like a colony. This was the first major revolt in the French Napoleon Empire. It would be the first step in the rise of other protests and revolts and the fall of Napoleon's Empire -
Napoleon is defeated in Russia
Caused by the gross military mistakes of trying to attack during a Russian winter. This was caused because Alexander I said the continental system failed at curtailing the British economy, thus insulting Napoleon. He would lose most of his army because of this defeat and it would lead to his capture and exile to Elba. -
Napoleon is exiled to Elba
Because of Napoleon's popularity and power, other European countries treated him with leniency and gave him a hospitable island with a comfortable salary of 2 million francs a year after his defeat in Russia. He would not be happy with his exile and would march back on Paris in an attempt to regain his empire. In turn, this would lead to his final imprisonment on St. Helena.