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Napoleon Bonaparte is born on the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean Sea.
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Led to a slowdown in manufacturing, which in turn led to food shortages, inflation, and unemployment. This was especially hard on peasants.
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The first meeting of the Estates-General in 175 years. It consists of representatives from all three estates. The Third Estate attempts to improve the quality of life, but the other two estates block them.
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The Third Estate, rejected by the nobility, decides to make a constitution to make the laws fairer.
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The deputies of the Third Estate find their meeting place blocked off by the nobility, so they head to a nearby tennis court to swear that they would continue fighting until a constitution was passed. This event is known as the Tennis Court Oath.
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Angry over inflation, nine hundred Parisians gathered in an old fortress called the Bastille to protest the unfair treatment. The rebellious citizens managed to enter the Bastille, and engaged in conflict with the French guards. The rebels were victorious; they freed the prisoners, killed the warden, and demolished the Bastille. This led to the collapse of the king's authority,
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The National Assembly votes to strip to nobility and clergy of their protections and special treatment.
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The National Assembly adopts a declaration similar to the English Bill of Rights and the American Declaration of Independence. It gives basic liberties to the people of France.
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A group of women reach King Louis XVI and force him to agree to the terms the National Assembly had decided upon. Though at first he dismissed the idea, eventually, he relented.
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This constitution severely limited the power of the king, and gave much of the law-making power to a legislative body. However, only "active" citizens could contribute to this government. The old regime had been eliminated, but the new government remained imperfect.
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In June 1791, King Louis XVI and his family attempted to escape France in disguise; however, they were caught and returned to Paris. The king was very unhappy with the new government, and continually tried to subvert it. The constitution was amended so that the king would be tried, but it seemed that the government could not continue as it was.
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Other European monarchs, such as those of Austria and Prussia, worried that the revolution could spread to their countries. They threatened force against the new French government. France responded with a preemptive strike, declaring war on Austria in order to maintain their government. It did not go well.
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A group of civilians led by Georges Danton attacked the royal palace, so King Louis sought protection from the new Legislative Assembly. Then, the Paris Commune made the Legislative Assembly call a National Convention to settle the issue. These events led to panic, violence, and massacres.
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A newly elected National Convention, dominated by lawyers, professionals, and property owners, votes the king out. They install a new republic: The French Republic.
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The Convention is convinced to order the death of King Louis XVI. This promptly occurs, and he is killed at the guillotine. This pleased many, but it also created new enemies for the new French Republic.
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Following the confusion and fighting caused by the death of the monarch, the Committee of Public Safety took control of the government. It was not particularly popular. They killed forty thousand people they suspected to be traitorous. It attempted to shape and control French society by controlling food prices, which helped nothing. It also pursued a policy of de-Christianization.
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After the guillotining of Robespierre, the Jacobins and the Committee lost power, and more moderate leaders could take control. Many prisoners taken during the reign were released.
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The two houses of government, the Council of 500 and the Council of Elders, created a list of every citizen in France who qualified to vote. This was called the Directory, and it became extremely corrupt.
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Napoleon rises to the position of commander of the French armies in Italy. Beforehand he had been a captain, and then a brigadier general.
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General Napoleon Bonaparte, who was largely popular with the French people, overthrew the Directory and the established government.
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Napoleon comes to an agreement with the Pope, recognizing Catholicism as the majority religion of the country. This made the Church no longer an enemy of the country.
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France signs a peace treaty with Russia, Austria, and Great Britain to temporarily end the war and settle the government.
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The peace treaty did not last very long, and war with Britain broke out soon afterwards. Britain was eventually joined by Austria, Russia, Prussia, and Sweden. Napoleon's army defeated them.
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The most important of seven law codes introduced by Napoleon. It ordered the equality of the citizens (but not women) before the courts, individual rights to choose professions, and the elimination of serfdom.
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Napoleon attempts to invade Britain with the help of the Spanish fleet, but is not successful.
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European countries were breaking Napoleon's rule that they could not trade with Britain. This combined with the emerging markets in Latin America gave Britain near-record highs.
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Napoleon decides to try and invade Russia after it ignores his Continental System. This goes poorly. Russia is very difficult to invade.
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France's neighboring states attack France, capture Paris, and banish Napoleon to the island of Elba. They give the throne to Louis XVI's brother, Louis XVIII. This new king has little support from the people.
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Napoleon escapes the island he was banished to, and returns to France. The new king sends troops to capture him, but they defect and help Napoleon return to power.
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The combined armies of the other European countries to defeat Napoleon - again - and defeat him at the battle of Waterloo in Belgium. He is exiled to St. Helena, where he lives for the rest of his life.
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Napoleon dies on the island of St. Helena in 1821 after a very eventful life.
