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Social discontent grew
Social discontent grew in the Third Estate population in France. About 97 percent of the people belonged to the Third Estate. The three groups that made up this estate differed greatly in their economic conditions. This is an important event. Social discontent has laid the foundation that spurs revolution. Source: https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/469495/viewContent/3804158/View -
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French Revolution
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Establishment of National Assembly
The delegates of the Third Estate, on June 17, 1789, voted to establish the National Assembly, in effect proclaiming the end of absolute monarchy and the beginning of representative government. This voting event is important as it was the first deliberate act of revolution. Source: https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/469495/viewContent/3804160/View -
Storming the Bastille
People in Paris thought that foreign troops were coming to Paris to massacre french citizens. They began to gather weapons in order to defend the city against attack, and a mob stormed the Bastille, a Paris prison. They took control of the prison and paraded around the city. This is an important event as it triggered a national riot against the government. Source: https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/469495/viewContent/3804160/View -
Rights of Man
In August 1789, the National Assembly adopted a statement of revolutionary ideals, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. The document stated that “men are born and remain free and equal in rights.” These rights included “liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.” This is an important event. It guarantees citizens equal justice, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. Source: https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/469495/viewContent/3804164/View -
Event 8: Louis XVI escaped but apprehended
In June 1791, the royal family tried to escape from France to the Austrian Netherlands. As they neared the border, however, they were apprehended and returned to Paris under guard. Louis’s attempted escape increased the influence of his radical enemies in the government and sealed his fate. This is an important event because it signified the downfall of the royal reign. source: https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/469495/viewContent/3804164/View -
France is made a republic
The citizens raided the prisons and killed over 1,000 prisoners. The legislative Assembly set aside the Constitution and created a new governing body, the National Convention. It abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic. This is an important event. For the first time, a monarchy was overthrown. Source: https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/469495/viewContent/3804177/View -
Louis XVI sentenced to death
The National Convention reduced Louis XVI’s role from that of a king to that of a common citizen and prisoner. It tried Louis for treason. The Convention found him guilty and sentenced him to death. On January 21, 1793, the former king was beheaded by a machine called the guillotine. It is an important event. It symbolizes the success of the revolution. Source: https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/469495/viewContent/3804166/View -
Reign of Terror ended
In July 1794, fearing for their own safety, some members of the National Convention turned on Robespierre. They demanded his arrest and execution. The Reign of Terror, the radical phase of the French Revolution, ended on July 28, 1794, when Robespierre went to the guillotine. This is an important event. It brought an end to the reign of terror and the start of democracy in France. source: https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/469495/viewContent/3804168/View -
Coup d’etat
Napoleon's troops in early November 1799 surrounded the national legislature, drove out its members, and dissolved the Directory. In its place, they established a group of three consuls, one of whom was Napoleon. Napoleon quickly took the title of the first consul and assumed the powers of a dictator. This is an important event. It provided Napoleon with the chance to gain power. https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/469495/viewContent/3804171/View -
Napoleon crowned emperor
In 1804, Napoleon decided to make himself emperor, and the French voters supported him. This marks the height of his political power and his status as the ruler of France. source: https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/469495/viewContent/3804172/View -
Blockade to all ports
In November 1806, Napoleon set up a blockade—a forcible closing of ports—to prevent all trade and communication between Great Britain and other European nations. Napoleon called this policy the Continental System because it was supposed to make continental Europe more self-sufficient. This is an important event. Great Britain started the measures to contain Napoleon's power. source: https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/469495/viewContent/3804176/View -
Plan for Europe
The delegates at Vienna Congress made plans to contain the power of France and restore a balance of power. The Congress of Vienna consisted of the representatives of the five “great powers”—Russia, Prussia, Austria, Great Britain, and France. This important event marks the new era of collective plans for mutual peace in Europe. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congress_of_Vienna -
Lost battle in Waterloo
Napoleon lost in the battle in Waterloo, Belgium, and was prisoned on a remote island in South Atlantic. Waterloo proved a decisive battle in more than one sense. We now look back at Waterloo as the turning point that dictated the course of subsequent world history, This event marks the collapse of the French empire n Europe. source: https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/469495/viewContent/3804177/View