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The Tennis Court Oath
The Third Estate feared that their attempts to bring change to France would be useless as the First and Second Estates usually voted together. Therefore, they formed a National Assembly. However, once they went to their meeting in Versaille, they realized they were locked out. They decided to hold their meeting on a tennis court and took an oath to stay together. Eventually, Louis XVI ordered the other estates to join the National Assembly. -
Storming of the Bastille
The Bastille was a fortress used as a prison since 1659. Although it was described as a terrible place, aristocrats preferred it since they could receive privileges. The guards protecting the fortress were not skilled, eventually, they were left as the only force in Paris. The leader military governor decided to protect his ammunition and drew up the fortress' bridges. The Parisians wanted this and began attacking the fortress using its ammunition. Eventually, they were successful. -
The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen included the ideas of major Enlightenment thinkers. Some of the basic principles included the idea of natural rights and the idea that men are born equal and are to be treated equally under the law. It also stated their rights were to be protected. The Declaration served as a preamble to various Constitutions in France. -
The Constitution of 1791 sets up a constitutional monarchy in France
The National Assembly created this constitution which retained monarchy but gave most of the political power to the Legislative Assembly. Active and Passive citizens (those who were allowed to vote and those who weren't) were created. Active citizens voted on who would join the Legislative Assembly. However, it lasted for only a year. -
Legislative Assembly's Declaration of War on Austria
The Legislative Assembly declared war to refocus the revolution. However, the French army did poorly during the first months of the war; this harmed morale in Paris. People feared foreign invasion. Eventually, they rose in insurrection and invaded the Tuileries apartments of the king. The war destabilized Paris by suspending the king and the Constitution of 1791. -
Louis XVI is executed at the guillotine
King Louis XVI was guillotined in the Place de la Revolution in Paris after being found guilty by the National Convention. Various factors resulted in this verdict, but one of the most important was the royal family's attempt to flee the country. Although the Girondins attempted to save him, he was still condemned. -
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Robespierre's Reign of Terror
On September 5th, 1793, the Revolutionary government ordered that enemies of the Revolution be dealt with. Many people in Paris were executed, and it affected the economy heavily. Maximilien de Robespierre was a prominent member of the Committee of Public Safety during this time period. Since the committee held strong control of the government, Robespierre held a powerful role. He eliminated many enemies and suspended the rights of many people. 300,000 were arrested; 27,000 died. -
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The Directory is installed
The Directory was a French government set during the French Revolutionary war. There were two houses, the Council of Five Hundred and the Council of Ancients. Both played different roles in the government and had different requirements for membership. Directors were chosen by the Five Hundred and chose important officials. It was supposed to be the opposite of the dictatorship of the reign of terror. However, it was full of corruption. -
Napoleon's coup d'etat; overthrowing the Directory
Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew the Directory when he returned from a battle in Egypt. At this point, many hated the Directory because of its corrupt government. Napolean carried out a coup d'etat and replaced them with the French Consulate. Seeing this as a way to gain power, he declared himself as the First Consul. -
Napoleon Crowned Emperor
Napoleon became the First Consul of France after he overthrew the Directory government. Soon, he established a new system of French law and later established the French empire. He crowned himself emperor after Pope Pius VII handed him the crown. This occurred in the Paris Notre Dame Cathedral. However, soon France fell into economic dispair following various wars, inflation, and measures against the British. -
Napoleon is defeated by Horatio Nelson
Although Nelson and Napoleon never met in hand-to-hand combat, their stories were linked closely. During the Battle of Trafalgar, Nelson spotted 33 French ships and signaled his British fleet to divide and attack. After five hours, 19 enemy ships were defeated with zero British ships lost (many British men died). Eventually, Nelson died because of a shot to the shoulder and chest. The victory prevented the French invasion of Britain. -
The Continental System is implemented
Napoleon grew tired of Britain driving French merchants from the high seas. He believed by closing the Continent, he could make the British economy suffer. If France invaded their markets, they would beg for peace from France. The Continental System banned French allies from trading with Britain (even with neutral shipping). A naval war retaliated when Britain hit France with a blockade. Both sides were hit, but France was hit the most heavily. -
Napoleon is exiled to Elba
Napoleon was exiled to Elba (in the Mediterranean) following the Treaty of Fontainebleau. In 1812, Napoleon attacked Russia believing they allied with England. Eventually, his troops retreated and Napoleon hoped to step down. However, he was sent to Elba (although he escaped). -
Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo
Napoleon was exiled to Elba, but he returned to France in 1815 following his escape. He raised a Grand Army to defeat the allied armies (who were approaching France). He defeated the Prussians and sent 1/3 of his force to chase them. However, once he approached the Duke of Wellington's troops (near Waterloo), he decided to wait to attack. The Prussians joined the Duke's troops. Napoleon left after the defeat. He surrendered to the British, who sent him to Saint Helena. -
Napoleon is exiled to St. Helena
After voluntarily surrendering to the British, Napoleon was exiled to St. Helena. This was an island in the middle of nowhere (to prevent his escape). He moved to the house of Longwood and spent most of his days here. Although he was to be watched the entire time, he did not follow this rule. He woke as late as he wanted and did whatever he pleased (as long as he stayed on the island). Others lived with him to watch him. Eventually, he died of what is believed to be stomach cancer.