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Palace of Versailles built
The Palace of Versailles is a former royal residence that was commissioned by Louis XIII. -
King Louis moved capital of France; Now Versailles
Kings Louis XIV commissioned the Palace of Versailles to be improved and when it was finished, Louis moved into the palace and changed the capital to escape the violence of Paris. -
King Louis XVI marries Marie Antionette
King Louis XVI married Marie Antionette at the age of 15 as a political deal between France and Austria in hopes of peace. -
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French Revolution
A bloody time in French history when several different forces took power while France was deep in political and societal changes. -
Tennis Court Oath
A pledge signed by revolutionists that displayed the belief that political authority came from a nation's people, not the monarchy. -
Bastille is Stormed
As a symbol of the oppression from the monarchy, a state prison named the Bastille was attacked and raided for guns and ammunition by revolutionists -
Declaration of Rights of Man and of the Citizen is written
A human civil rights document passed by France's National Constituent Assembly, inspired by the revolution. -
Women's March on Versailles
One of the first events in the French Revolution in which crowds of women stormed the Palace of Versailles and attempted to attack Marie Antionette. -
King Louis Is beheaded
After being imprisoned and stripped of power, Louis XVI was beheaded via guillotine, marking the fall of the monarchy during the revolution. -
The Reign of Terror
Sep 5, 1793 – Jul 28, 1794. A series of state-sanctioned massacres and public executions led by Maximilien Robespierre. -
Napoleon Launches Coup d'Etat on Directory
Napoleon overthrew the French Directory government system and named himself France's First Consul and effectively ending the revolution. -
Creation of Napoleonic Code
The Civil Code of France relating to property and relationships that marked the first large-scale revision of laws since Roman times. -
Napoleon Crowns Himself Emperor
After having ruled as First Consul of France, Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned Napoleon I, taking the title of emperor and putting the crown on his own head, making others wonder if Napoleon had gained too much power too fast. -
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Napoleon as Emperor
Following the French Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself as First Consul of France, later crowing himself Emperor of France near the end of 1804. -
Defeat in Russian Campaign
After finding Russian land to be deserted and ablaze, Napoleon crept further into Russian territory until he had to return due to food shortages and the like. -
Napoleon's Exile
After being forced to step down from power, Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba where he would stay until early 1815. -
Battle of Waterloo
Napoleon's French Army fought against a coalition led by the Duke of Wellington and Marshal Blücher. Napoleon was eventually defeated, marking the end of French dominion in Europe ridding Napoleon of all power.