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Napoleon is born
Napoleon Bonaparte is born in Corsica. -
Start of the French Revolution
The Storm of Bastille is considered the start of the French Revolution, which was a time of civil and political unrest due to the third estate fighting for their rights. -
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The Reign of Terror
The Jacobins were in power during this time, leading the government with radical and usually extreme decisions. More than 35,000 people were executed with the Guillotine after being accused of opposing the Revolution. It ended when Robespierre, the main leader of all of it, was also executed with the Guillotine. -
Battle of Toulon
Napoleon's army drove the British out of the Port of Toulon; it was not one of his first successes, but it was one of his greatest. -
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Egyptian Campaign
Napoleon tried to invade Egypt, but failed. He was able to keep this from most of France, though, with his military power/authority. -
18 Broumaire Coup D'etat
Napoleon lead a coup d'etat against the Directory, establishing the Consulate in its place. Napoleon took the title of First Counsel. -
First Consul for Life Plebiscite
Napoleon is named First Consul for life by a vote (or plebiscite). -
Napoleonic Code
The Napoleonic Code is established/publicized. The Napoleonic Code protected the rights and equality of man like in the Revolution, but took away women's recently-earned rights. Also, life, liberty, and fraternity was replaced with security, efficiency and order. -
Napoleon's Coronation
Napoleon crowns himself emperor of France, putting him in complete power. -
Battle of Trafalgar
The French army tries to invade Britain, but loses the naval battle to Britain's strong navy. -
Battle of Austerlitz
The French army defeats Austrian and Russian armies new Austerlitz, forcing Austria to make peace with them. It was one of Napoleon's greatest successes. -
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Continental System
Napoleon breaks off trade with Britain in another attempt to defeat them (by starving their economy). Instead, though, Europe is hit the hardest from this system. -
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Peninsular War
The Spanish and Portugese start a war for independence with Britain's help. This eventually helped lead to Napoleon's downfall, though indirectly. -
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Invasion of Russia
Alexander I of Russia seperates from the continetnal system, defeating Napoleon's army of 600,000 troops by using the cold winter in Russia rather than warfare (the Russians retreated east, leaving no resources for Napoleon's army). This ends the continental system. -
Retreat from Moscow
Finding no army to fight after the long march to Moscow, Napoleon and his army retreat back to Paris. They lose even more men during this, coming back with about 20,000 out of the 600,000 they left with. -
Battle of Leipzig
The Austrian, Prussian, Swedish, Russian, and Bohemian armies defeated Napoleon's army in Leipzig, Saxony, and Napoleon lost his control of Germany and Poland. The other armies surrounded him, causing the French army to be confused/weakened and able to be defeated in the 3-day-long battle. -
Exile to Elba
Napoleon, keeping the title of emperor, is exiled to the island of Elba. -
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Hundred Days
Napoleon escapes from Elba and takes control of France again, causing Louis XVIII, the proclaimed king in his place, to flee. During this time that Louis XVIII was gone, Napoleon built up his army again and got ready for a war with the Allied Forces. -
Battle of Waterloo
Napoleon is defeated by British, Dutch, Belgian and German troops with the assistance of Prussia. This marks the end of his military career. -
Exile to St. Helena
Napoleon is once again exiled from France, this time to St. Helena, another island. He does not return this time. -
Death
Napoleon dies at St. Helena, most likely from stomach cancer.