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Period: to
The French Revolution 1789 - 1815
Here are some important dates of the French Revolution and how it came to be.
Source: World History 1450-Present eBook readings, Chapter 23 Section 1 to 5. -
The Meeting of Estates-General
The meeting consisted of all three estates, the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners. They were discussing the new taxes that Louis XVI imposed. This meeting was the first in 175 years.
This date is important because it is one of the meetings that started the French Revolution. -
The Tennis Court Oath
The Tennis Court Oath was a pledge made by the Third Estate because they found themselves locked out of their meeting room. They broke down the door of the meeting room that lead into a tennis court. Later on, the nobility and the clergy that wanted reform joined the Third Estate delegates.
This is an important date because it consists of how the constitution and the reforms came to be. -
The Storming of the Bastille
Rumors flew that Louis XVI was trying to shut down the National Assembly. People attacked with anger and stormed the Bastille, a Paris prison, searching for gunpowder and arms. They killed several guards and officials along the way.
This is an important date because it is seen how people started taking action and how absolute power was draining. -
Women's March on Versailles
Parisian women rioted over the rise in the price of bread. They held weapons like knives and axes and marched on Versailles. They demanded that the National Assembly give them bread and they angered the king and queen.
I think this is one of the important dates because it shows that even women got the chance to riot their complaints against the system. -
The Legislative Assembly declared War
As other European countries watched this changes in France, they were afraid the same thing will occur in their country. They demanded that the French restore Louis XVI's throne and that he continues to rule as an absolute monarch. The Legislative Assembly responded by declaring war on these countries.
I think this date is important because it shows the responses of other countries toward revolution. -
The Reign of Terror Begins
A person named Maximilien Robespierre was the dictator of France during this period. His time of rule is known as the Reign of Terror because he guillotined anyone that he thinks is not loyal to him. One of the people who were "enemies" of Robespierre is Georges Danton.
This is an important date because it shows one of the terrifying rules in France and the invention of guillotine, a machine that can execute in a second. -
The End of Terror
Robespierre's rule ended just after a year. The National Convection turned on Robespierre because of their own safety. Robespierre was sent to the guillotine to be executed for his actions.
I think this is an important date because it shows how one of the most terrifying rulers died facing the same fate as the ones he killed. -
Napoleon Crowned Himself as an Emperor
Napoleon was one of the smart rulers in France. He decided to crown himself emperor in 1804 and all French voters were on board with him. He took the crown from the pope's hand and put it on his head.
This is an important date because it shows how Napoleon started to have power and his gesture of crowning himself shows that. -
The US Congress Declares War on Britain
One of Napoleon's main enemies was Britain. In respond to Napoleon's action of closing the trading ports, Britain closed theirs too, angering the US Congress. But despite that the US Congress had a war with Britain for two years, Britain only had minor inconveniences with its struggle with Napoleon.
This is an important date because it shows even if Napoleon was a very strong emperor and was close to having absolute power over Europe, one enemy was still in the way of his success. -
The Battle of Borodino
The Battle of Borodino is one of the wars between Napoleon's army and Russia. Russia's retreat and tactics so Napoleon won't get what he wants were remarkable. They retreated and destroyed the place Napoleon wanted to take over so when Napoleon reached there, he couldn't find anything.
This is an important date as it signifies one of the costly mistakes that Napoleon did that had an impact on his rule.