Natasha Bell: French Revolution

The Seven Years War [1756-1763]

May 15, 1756

Louis XV entered France in this war against its old enemy England and their ally Prussia. This long war cost the King large amounts of money and resulted in the deaths of many Frenchmen. In the end, France suffered a humiliating defeat in America, losing all of Canada and other import colonies.

King Louis XV assassination attempt

Jan 5, 1757

King Louis XV was stabbed by an assassin while walkin through the gardens of Versailles. He survived, but it showed that the people were ready for change. Louis XV fell into a deep depression after the incident.

The Wedding of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

May 16, 1770

It was an arranged marriage to unite the Habsburgs and the Bourbon Family. Marie, at age 14, was expected to produce a male heir on the night of their wedding. Louis refused to touch her, instead more intrested in his lock picking hobby.

Meeting of the Estates General

May 5, 1789

Louis XVI called the estates-general to enlist their support in raising taxes on the 3rd Estate to help deal with France's dangerous financial problems. Money spent on wars in the prior years, including the American Revolution, had depleted the budget.

The Tennis Court Oath

Jun 20, 1789

Finding themselves locked out of their usual meeting hall at Versailles and thinking that the king was forcing them to disband, they moved to a nearby indoor tennis court (salle du jeu de paume). There they took an oath never to separate until a written constitution had been established for France.

Storming of the Bastille

Jul 14, 1789

Rumors spread in Paris spread that the mercenaries the King hired to intimidate the National Assembly were there to wipe out the new organization. In order to protect them, citizens stormed this prison. The King's soldiers were overpowered and the Bastille was captured. Prisoners were freed and a huge amount of weapons fell into the hands of the people. The heads of those who resisted were paraded around the streets of Paris on pikes.

Signing of the Declaration of the Rights of Man

Aug 26, 1789

This Declaration declared that ALL men had the rights of liberty and equality. When Louis XVI was told that his signature on this document was demanded, he knew that his power was almost gone.

Women's March on Versailles

Oct 4, 1789

A large group, led by women from the fish market, began a march towards Versailles. They gathered at the palace gates and demanded bread for the poor. When King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette ignored this, the crowd became increasingly hostile. After demanding the head of the Queen, numerous revolutionaries stormed the palace. This forced the monarchs to hide. The intruders tore Marie's bed and Louis XVI moved his family to the Tuileries Palace in Paris.

Royal Family escape attempt to Austria

Jun 21, 1791

After receiving word that they would be supported by Austria, the Royal Family decided to escape Paris and head towards Austria. Louis XVI, Marie, and their children put on disguises and fled the capital. When Louis requested a break, the family was recognized and paraded through the streets of Paris and put under constant guard. Louis was forced to sign the Declaration of the Rights of Man.

Rise of the National Convention

Sep 20, 1792

The Legislative Assembly was replaced with the more radical National Convention after the Austrians threatened to destroy Paris if any harm came to the Royal family. This organization proclaimed the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of the French republic. Following the king’s execution, war with various European powers and intense divisions within the National Convention ushered the French Revolution into its most violent and turbulent phase.

Execution of King Louis XVI

Jan 21, 1793

The National Convention decided to put King Louis XVI on trial for treason. He was found guilty and sentenced to be executed via Guillotine.

Creation of the Committee of Public Safety

Apr 6, 1793

This committee was the response of Robespierre to the power struggle between the Girondins and the Jacobins. It controlled the food and military situations. It now planned the nation's economy and most males were drafted into the French military.

Murder of Jean-Paul Marat

Jul 13, 1793

A young woman named Charlotte Corday visited Marat and delivered a list of traitors to him. While he read this list, Corday stabbed him to death. Robespierre had Marat worshiped with a painting.

Execution of Marie Antoinette

Oct 14, 1793

Marie Antoinette was put on trial after being accused of proclaiming her only surviving son, Louis, the King of France. She was also accused of treason and incest. The ex-Queen of France was found guilty and sentenced to be killed via Guillotine.

Execution of Maximillen Robespierre

Jul 28, 1794

Robespierre, the leader of "Reign of Terror", is overthrown and arrested by the National Convention. While in prison, he was given a gun and he shot himself. He missed his head and instead shot off most of his lower jaw. He was then executed via Guillotine. The Great Terror was over, but civil war was once again likely in France.

Passing of the Civil Code (Napoleionic Code)

Mar 12, 1804

The Napoleonic Code made the authority of men over their families stronger, deprived women of any individual rights, and reduced the rights of illegitimate children. All male citizens were also granted equal rights under the law and the right to religious dissent, but colonial slavery was reintroduced.

The coronation of Emperor Napoleon

Dec 2, 1804

Napoleon Bonaparte is crowned Napoleon I in the Notre
Dame Cathedral in Paris. He is the first Frenchman to hold the title of emperor in a thousand years. Pope Pius VII handed Napoleon the crown that the 35-year-old conqueror of Europe placed on his own head.

Exile to Elba

Apr 11, 1814

After the Russian invasion, Napoleon’s broken forces gave up and Napoleon offered to step down in favor of his son. When this offer was rejected, he abdicated and was sent to Elba.

Congress of Vienna

Nov 1, 1814

The Congress of Vienna was convened in 1815 by the four European powers which had defeated Napoleon. The first goal was to establish a new balance of power in Europe which would prevent imperialism within Europe, such as the Napoleonic empire, and maintain the peace between the great powers.

100 Days

Mar 20, 1815

The period between March 20, 1815, the date on which Napoleon arrived in Paris after escaping from exile on Elba, and July 8, 1815, the date of the return of Louis XVIII to Paris.