French Revolution Timeline

  • Convening the Estates General

    A legislative assembly of the three classes of French people.
  • Period: to

    French Revolution

    May 5th, 1821 was the approximate date of Napoleaon's death.
  • Tennis Court Oath

    The result of the third estates growing discontent and their desire to keep France’s history of an absolute government
  • Storming of the Bastille

    The storming of the Bastille prison and the releasing of several prisoners. It was a sign of freedom for the prisoners.
  • Great Fear

    Peasants broke into nobles homes and destroyed all legal papers that gave any evidence that they had to pay feudal dues
  • Declaration of the Rights of Man

    A declaration passed by the National Assembly that stated all men were born and should remain free and equal in all rights. It also stated freedom of speech, equal justice and freedom of religion.
  • Women's march to Versailles

    Women marched to Versailles and rioted over how outrageous the price of bread was. They demanded that Louis and Marie returned to Paris.
  • Louis and Marie's flight to Varennes

    Louis and Marie attempted to escape France, but were caught and turned over to the authorities.
  • Constitution of 1791

    The first written constitution in France and was a result of the French Revolution. It also helped develop the Constitutional Monarchy
  • Brunswick Manifesto

    A proclamation that threatened if the royal family would be harmed, then they would harm the citizens.
  • National Convention

    An assembly made up of the constitutional and legislative assembly that governed France during the most critical period of the French Revolution. It was elected to provide a new constitution for France after the overthrowing of the last monarchy.
  • The Terror of Reign of Terror

    A time of violence between the rivals of the Girondins and the Jacobins. There were thousands of executions during this time.
  • Directory

    An effort to mediate between the French royalists and the French Jacobins
  • Concordat of 1801

    An agreement that made the Catholic Church stronger and brought back almost all of civil status.
  • Louisiana Purchase

    The United States claimed and bought Louisiana
  • Napoleonic Code

    This code refused birth privileges, allowed religious freedom, and made it clear that government jobs were well chosen.
  • Napolean becomes Emperor

    Napoleon crowned himself emperor of France
  • Napolean Bonaparte takes over

    The emperor of France returned and started forming new ideas about taking over England. He also started taking over the general assembly.
  • Battle of Trafalgar

    A sea battle that was fought between the fleets of Spain and France and the Royal Navy
  • Continental System

    Napoleons attempt to stop the British export and re-exporting trade
  • Peninsular War

    The war between France and Spain for the control of the Liberian Peninsula
  • Invasion of Russia

    A struggle between Europe’s highest trained armies and the French and Russian army. It was a turning point during the Napoleonic Wars.
  • Exile to Elba

    Napoleon was exiled by the government to Elba right after his resignation.
  • Battle to Waterloo

    The battle when the British and the Prussians defeated the French.
  • Exile to St. Helena

    Napoleon went to Paris and forced to claim his throne back. Europe exiled him to Elba (a small island in the Mediterranean). However Napoleon was back in Europe within 11 months.