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On May 5, 1789, the representative body of France, the Estates General, met after 175 years without doing so. It was an important event on the way to the French Revolution. The inaugural session was held in Versailles. Conflicts arose over how to vote between the three estates: clergy, nobility and people. The Third Estate, representing the people, demanded the same representation, causing a deadlock. -
A huge crowd of Parisians attacked the Bastille, a medieval fortress and prison, on July 14, 1789, looking for weapons and to free political prisoners. This event, known as the Storming of the Bastille, became a strong symbol of popular revolt against royal power and oppression. It was a crucial moment in the French Revolution and is celebrated as France's national holiday, Bastille Day. -
Members of the Third Estate who were denied access to their meeting place in Versailles swore an oath on a tennis court on June 20, 1789. Known as the Tennis Court Oath, they vowed to not separate until a new constitution was created, giving power to the people. This event showed their resolve to bring about political and social change, marking a turning point in the French Revolution. -
The National Constituent Assembly was a chosen body created in France in 1789 during the French Revolution. It was in charge of writing a new constitution for the country and carrying out reforms. The Assembly abolished feudal rights, established principles of equality and individual rights, and implemented measures to modernize France. Its work laid the foundation for the French Revolution, promoting ideals of liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty.
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The August Decrees were a set of laws passed by the National Assembly during the French Revolution in August 1789. They abolished feudal rights, implemented principles of equality, and introduced important reforms such as the end of serfdom and the seizure of church lands. The decrees established the foundation for a more egalitarian society and marked a significant step towards the transformation of France into a modern nation-state. -
The National Assembly in France adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen on August 26, 1789. This document declared the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals, including liberty, equality, and the right to property. It became a cornerstone of the French Revolution, inspiring movements for human rights and democracy worldwide. -
King Louis XVI and his family tried to escape Paris in disguise on June 20, 1791, known as the Flight to Varennes. They wanted to reach the Austrian Netherlands and seek foreign intervention against the revolution. However, they were identified and captured in the town of Varennes and brought back to Paris. The unsuccessful escape increased mistrust and resentment towards the monarchy, accelerating the revolutionary sentiments in France. -
The Legislative Assembly was the ruling body of France from 1791 to 1792 during the French Revolution. It was in charge of passing laws and overseeing the country's affairs. The Assembly was split into factions, with Girondins and Jacobins. It faced challenges such as economic instability, threats from foreign powers, and increasing radicalization. The Legislative Assembly played a role in the declaration of war against Austria and the overthrow of the monarchy.
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The French National Assembly declared war on Austria on April 20, 1792. This marked the beginning of the French Revolutionary Wars. The Assembly thought that Austria was a danger to the revolution and saw war as a chance to spread revolutionary ideals. The declaration further increased the conflict and had far-reaching consequences for France and Europe. -
A huge crowd of revolutionaries attacked the Tuileries Palace in Paris on August 10, 1792. They assaulted the palace, where King Louis XVI and his family were living, as a reaction to the king's perceived betrayal of the revolution. The palace was taken over, the royal family was arrested, and the monarchy effectively ended. The event further fueled revolutionary fervor and marked a significant step towards the establishment of the First French Republic. -
The National Convention was the ruling body of France from 1792 to 1795 during the French Revolution. The Convention declared France a republic and abolished the monarchy. It faced internal divisions, with factions such as the Girondins and Jacobins competing for power. The Convention put King Louis XVI on trial and executed him. It also instituted the Reign of Terror, a period of mass political purges. The Convention drafted the Constitution of 1793 but never implemented it.
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The First French Republic was established on September 22, 1792, following the abolition of the monarchy during the French Revolution. It lasted until 1804 and was marked by radical political and social changes. The Republic sought to dismantle feudalism, promote equality, and implement revolutionary ideals. It faced internal conflicts, external wars, and political instability. The Republic introduced new institutions, such as the Committee of Public Safety, and executed King Louis XVI.
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On January 21, 1793, King Louis XVI of France was executed by guillotine. Found guilty of treason and crimes against the state, his execution marked a turning point in the French Revolution. The event symbolized the rejection of monarchy and the rise of radical republicanism. It had profound implications for France's political landscape, leading to further political instability and the Reign of Terror. -
On July 28, 1794, the guillotine ended the life of Maximilien Robespierre, a key figure of the French Revolution. Robespierre had been a prominent member of the Committee of Public Safety and had driven the period known as the Terror. However, his increasingly dictatorial and oppressive policies generated resistance within the revolutionary government. Accused of tyranny, Robespierre was arrested and executed, ending his rule and starting a more moderate phase of the revolution. -
During the French Revolution, from 1795 to 1799, France was governed by an executive body called the Directory. Its goal was to create a stable and moderate regime. However, the Directory faced many problems, such as economic difficulties, political corruption, and foreign wars. It tried to reform the finances and keep a balance between radicals and conservatives. But it failed to gain popular support and was seen as ineffective.
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After the Directory, the Consulate was the government of France from 1799 to 1804. It was led by Napoleon Bonaparte as First Consul, who wanted to stabilize and strengthen his rule. The Consulate reformed the government, the law, and the economy. It ended the turmoil of the Revolution and brought back order. In 1804, Napoleon made himself Emperor, turning the Consulate into the Napoleonic Empire.
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From 1799 to 1815, the Napoleonic era took place, in which Napoleon Bonaparte became the ruler and Emperor of France. He introduced many reforms, such as the Napoleonic Code and a centralized government. Napoleon fought many wars, extending French influence over Europe. However, his overreaching goals caused him to face costly conflicts and opposition from other countries. His empire was weakened by the Peninsular War and the unsuccessful invasion of Russia. It ended in 1815.
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The Napoleonic Empire was ruled by Napoleon Bonaparte from 1804 to 1815. He became Emperor in 1804 and waged many wars, extending France over Europe. He imposed centralized authority, reformed the administration, and established the Napoleonic Code. However, he faced opposition and alliances against him. The empire reached its peak with victories at Austerlitz and Jena, but was defeated in Spain and Russia. Napoleon's loss at Waterloo in 1815 ended the empire.
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In 1805, during the Napoleonic Wars, the British Navy faced the fleets of France and Spain in the Battle of Trafalgar. The British, led by Admiral Horatio Nelson, used innovative tactics, such as the famous “Nelson’s Touch,” to break the enemy line and win a decisive victory. Although Nelson died in the battle, the British triumphed, preventing a French invasion of Britain and establishing their naval supremacy. -
The Battle of Austerlitz in 1805 was the triumph of Napoleon's French army over the Austrians and Russians. Located near Austerlitz in present-day Czechia, Napoleon lured his enemies to attack his center while flanking them from both sides. The French emerged as clear winners, inflicting severe losses and achieving a decisive victory. This battle cemented Napoleon's supremacy in Europe, altering the course of the Napoleonic Wars and shaping the continent's future. -
In 1813, during the Napoleonic Wars, French forces fought against a coalition of Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Sweden in the Battle of Leipzig. The battle involved fierce fighting across a wide front, with more than half a million soldiers involved. The coalition forces, with superior numbers and coordination, gradually pushed back Napoleon’s forces. The battle resulted in a decisive victory for the coalition, marking a turning point in the war and weakening Napoleon. -
In 1815, in present-day Belgium, France faced a coalition force led by the British and Prussia in the Battle of Waterloo. The battle was intense, with heavy casualties on both sides, but ultimately, British forces held their ground. The Prussian army arrived later, tipping the scales in favor of the coalition. Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo marked the end of his rule, leading to his abdication and exile. The battle has since become a symbol of the final downfall of Napoleon’s empire.