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Day of the Tiles
This was the first official revolt against the king, occurring in Grenoble. -
The Start of the French Revolution
The year 1789 is widely considered to be the start of the French revolution, bringing along many famous events within the revolution. -
Siege of the Bastile
Holding only seven prisoners, the Bastille, full of gunpowder, was stormed by a mass of armed French citizens. After several hours of resistance, the crowd breaks the fort's defenses, and obtain the gunpowder stored within. The governor of the fortress, de Launay, is killed during the assault. -
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
On this day, the French assembly accepted this declaration. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen detailed the natural rights that the citizens of France desired, being similar to the United States' Bill of Rights. The declaration was a core statement of the values of the French Revolution -
Women's March on Versailles
A large crowd of French women stormed the palace of Versailles, carrying demands to the royal family. The most important of those demands being that the king shall return to Paris with the crowd of women, to which he agrees. -
Attempted Flight of the Royal Family from Paris
On the night of the 20th of June, the King, the Queen, and their children flee the Tuileries Palace by carriage, with their destination being Montmédy. -
Storming of the Tuileries Palace and the Downfall of the King
The National Guard of the Paris Commune and revolutionary federes assault the Tuileries Palace. The Swiss Guards, defending the King, his family, and the palace, are massacred. The Legislative Assembly of France suspends the power of the King, and orders a new government to take his place, The Convention. -
Capitulation of Verdun
Prussia takes control of Verdun without an attempt to stop them by France. -
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Massacres of Prisoners in Paris' Prisons
The Commune ordered the massacre of prisoners in Paris following the surrender of Verdun. Around 1400-2000 prisoners are brutally massacred, the majority of which being common criminals. A whopping 17 percent of which were priests. -
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Louis XVI's Trial and Execution
The 10th day of December marked the day in which Louis XVI's trial was opened before the Convention. On January 15th, the Convention declares Louis XVI guilty of conspiracy against public liberty by a vote of 707 to 0. Finally, on January 21, Louis XVI is beheaded at 10:22. -
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The Jacobin Coup d'Etat
An armed crowd of sans-culottes organized by the Commune attack the Convention and demand that the Convention disband and turn over their power. Despite this, scientific research continues, and the National Museum of Natural History opened on June 10th. -
The Reign of Terror Begins
With the adoption of the Law of Suspects, allowing anyone suspected of opposing the revolution to be rapidly arrested and executed, the Reign of Terror began. Marie-Antoinette is ordered to trial by the Convention and convicted of treason on October 12th of the same year. -
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Downfall of Robespierre; End of the Reign of Terror
On July 26, Robespierre gives a violent speech at the convention, demanding the arrest of "traitors" in the Committees of Public Safety and General Security. On the next day, however, Robespierre is arrested alongside his younger brother, Agustin. Once arrested and outside the hall in which they were arrested, they are swiftly released by Hanriot and his supporters from the Paris Commune. The hotel they fled to is later taken by the Convention without a fight. -
The Convention is replaced by the Directory
The Constitution of the Year III is adopted, calling for an upper and lower house of parliament, based on American and British models, and a Directory of five members. -
Napoleon's Campaign in Italy
Bonaparte began his campaign with his army on the 10th of April, attaining victory over Austrians at Montenotte and the Sardinians at Millesimo. -
Napoleon chases the Austrians out of Italy
On January 7th, a new Austrian Army is sent to Italy to fight Bonaparte. Through many battles, Napoleon pushes back the Austrians. Other than General Bonaparte's many military victories, not much occurs during this year. -
Napoleon's Invasion of Egypt
Having finished his campaign in Italy, Bonaparte petitioned the Directory to conquer Egypt. The Directory approves, and on May 19th, Bonaparte and his fleet set sail for Egypt from Toulon. On July 1st, Napoleon lands in Egypt and captures Alexandria. Many military victories follow this. -
Napoleon Bonaparte's Return From Egypt; the Consulate Seizes Power
On October 9th, Bonaparte returns to France after his long campaigns to Italy and Egypt. From that point until November 8th, he plans a coup d'etat with various other key figures, such as Cambaceres. The coup d'etat began on November 9th, with troops loyal to Napoleon occupying key points in Paris. Through either voluntary or involuntary action, the members of the Directory resign, and Paris is under the complete control of Napoleon. By December 24, Napoleon has firm control over the Councils. -
The End of the Revolution
With France now under the firm control of Bonaparte, the Constitution of the Year VIII is adopted. The new Consulate is established, with Napoleon as the First Consul, Cambacérès as the second, and Charles-François Lebrun as Third Consul.
