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Montesquieu
Introduced the separation of powers in government to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. -
Voltaire
French writer who advocated for freedom of speech and religion, promoting civil liberties and criticizing intolerance. -
Mary Wollstonecraft
Early women's rights advocate who argued for women's education and equality in "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman." -
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Wrote "The Social Contract," emphasizing that governments should be based on the consent of the governed -
Napoleon Bonaparte
French military leader and emperor born on August 15, 1769, who rose to prominence during the French Revolution. -
John locke
Philosopher who believed in natural rights—life, liberty, and property—and argued that governments should protect these rights -
Storming of the Bastille
The storming marked the beginning of the French Revolution and symbolizing the fight against tyranny. -
Establishment of the National Assembly
Representatives of the Third Estate declared themselves the National Assembly by signaling the start of a shift in power. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
This document made for fundamental principles of liberty and equality for all the men in France. -
Women's March on Versailles
Thousands of women marched to Versailles, demanding bread and forcing the royal family to return to Paris. -
The Civil Constitution of the Clergy
the law that aimed to reorganize the Roman Catholic Church in France, creating tensions between the church and the state. -
Constitution of 1791
Established a constitutional monarchy, limiting the powers of the king while expanding the rights of citizens. -
The Flight to Varennes
King Louis XVI’s failed escape attempt underscored the decreasing public trust in the monarchy. -
The Reign of Terror
characterized by extreme political repression and mass executions of perceived enemies of the revolution. -
The Fall of the Girodins
The political faction opposed to the Montagnards was overthrown, marking a shift in power during the revolution. -
Execution of Louis XVI
The execution of the king marked the end of kings in France and solidified the revolutionary government's authority. -
The Committee of Public Safety
Created to protect the newly established republic, it held significant power during the Reign of Terror. -
The Thermidorian Reaction
A backlash against the excesses of the Reign of Terror that led to the fall of Robespierre. -
Establishment of the Directory
A new government that replaced the National Convention, marking a more conservative phase of the revolution. -
Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte
His rise to power in the late 1790s dramatically altered the course of both the revolution and French history. -
The Napoleonic Code
Although post-revolution, this legal code was heavily influenced by revolutionary ideas and sought to ensure equality before the law. -
Crowning as Emperor
In 1804, Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of the French, marking the start of the First French Empire. -
Battle of Austerlitz
Fought on December 2, 1805, this was one of Napoleon’s most significant victories against the Austro-Russian army. -
Exile to Elba
After his first abdication in 1814, Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba but escaped in 1815 to regain power for a short time. -
Final Exile to Saint Helena
Following his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, Napoleon was exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena, where he died in 1821.