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Fuel for the Revolution
The 3rd Estate was always outvoted by the 1st and 2nd Estate, therefore at the Assembly of Notables, they demanded that the vote be based on national population instead. However, Louis XVI locked out the 3rd Estates, leaving them furious. It was here when they finally hed enough fuel for the fire. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Estates-General) -
Tennis Court Oath
Outraged, the 3rd Estate met elsewhere and created what was known as the "National Assembly", which they had hoped would be the new French government. Breaking into a nearby "Tennis Court", it was here they swore that they would not dissolve until they created a constitution. To their joy, King Lousi XVI started recognizing them as a legitimate organization. -
Overthrow of the Bastille
In fear that the National Assembly would be wiped out after new mercernaries were recruited, the citizens flooded the Bastille. They captured the prison severing the heads and parading them on pikes if they resisted. Mass riots break out, and in the heat of rage, the citizens torn down the Bastille, brick by brick. -
Break Into Versailles
One day, a group of large women marched toward Versailles, all being from the fish maket. Demanding bread for the poor, the King and his family hid within Versaille while the women stormed in. Most notably, the woman tore Marie Antoinette's bed to shreds and forced them back into Paris. Here, they could see their own people suffering, and the citizens hoped the royal family would have a change of heart. Nonetheless, they were prisoners in their own country. -
Escape From Paris
A declaration declaring that ALL men had the rights of liberty and equality, known as the "Declaration of the Rights of Man" needed to be signed by the king. Fearful of losing his position, himself and his family disguised themselves, and fled the city. It may of worked for if they hadn't stopped to take a break and recogized by Royals. Feeling betrayed, a crowd marched the family right back to Paris, where he then signed the "Declaration of the Rights of Man". -
Legislative Assembly
The oath made by the National Assembly was met, now having a constitution. They disbanded, creating what was known as the Legislative Assembly, even with a new flag. The flag was called the Tricolour, the blue and red represting the people. The House of Bourbon represented the white, separting the people. It was also known as the flag of revolution. -
War on Austria Declared
The three political parties known as the Jacobins, Gironins, and the Sans-Culottes argued over whether or not they should declare war on Austria. The Jacobins were the only ones against it, claiming they didnt have the resources needed. However, similarly to what happened to the 3rd Estate years ago, the Jacobins were always outvoted. It was decided: they'd go to war with Austria. The war would later proved to of taken it's toll on France, taking mass amounts of lives. -
Guillotine
After a civillian outburst, King Louis XVI sought to create a new and quicker way of execution. A doctor known as Joseph-Ignace Guillotin created plans for the more humane killing device, although, Louis opted more a slanted blade, not a cresent like the original plans. With this, the Guillotine was created, it's first victim being Nicolas Jaques Pelleteir on the 25th of April, 1792. The device would end life for numerous people, and all their lives would meet the same fate. -
National Convention
Desperate, war getting closer and closer to Paris, Robespeirre dissolved the Legislative Assembly. It's replacement was a much more radical form of governement : The National Convention. As well, France's first Republic. It was now, when the National Convention decided to put Louis XVI on a trial for treason. Not only the King, but many others would be put on short and unfair trials that resulted in execution during the time of the National Convention. -
The King & Queen's Beheading
Short after the creation of The National Convention, Louis the XVI was put on trial for treason, it's penality always ending in death. Louis would be subject to the killing device he helped create. On the 2nd of January 1793, Louis XVI was beheaded, a crowded paraded the courtyard. Having lost everything, it was Marie Antoinette's turn to be put on trial. Convicted of not only treason, but incest as well, she was found guilty. The queen's beheading took place on October 16th, 1793. -
Charlotte Corday
Marat during all this time produced mass amounts of angry new articles, sparking the citizens' fire. Very often, he'd submit public lists of traitors to have them exucuted, usually with little to no evidence. Sick of this, Charlotte Corday went to visit Marat, claiming she had a list. Whilst in his tub, Marat was stabbed, and Corday was shortly caught and executed via the gulliotine. She had hopes this would end violence, the death of Marat and no more lists, but violence persisted. -
"Goddess of Reason"
With the king and queen dead, Robespierre used this positivity to try and end the practice of relegion. In place, he suggested people worship the "Goddess of Reason". This was only one way of completely obliterating the former monarchy. Roads with the word "Saint" on them were renamed, cards taken out of card decks, and even the calendar was drastically changed. All in an attempt to cover up the now dead monarchy. -
Danton's Beheading
Robespierre became exceptionally paranoid, even going so far as accusing his friend, Georges Danton of treason. In reality, Danton merely suggested that perhaps the executions and violence should diminish as more terror wasn't needed. On April 5th, 1794, Danton was exucuted as everyone else: the guillotine. Danton's final words were; "Be sure to show my head to the people, for it is well worth seeing". -
End of Robespierre
Enough was enough. Robespierre announced to the people he had another list, only to be arrested later by the Jacobins, the party he led. While in prison, Robespierre tried to end his life with a gun, but utterly failed and shot himself in the jaw instead. Robespierre soon after died by the guillotine, and The Great Terror was officially over. That only left the war to be dealt with, but who could save Paris? -
Napoleon Rises
With Robespierre gone, the people still had a war to deal with. Napoleon Bonaparte was sought out and saved Paris from Civial War and Invasion. -
Napoleonic Code
It took four years of planning and debate, but the Napoleonic Code finally came to pass. It was meant to be a new legal framework for France and was the first set of laws that addressed colonial affairs, property, individual rights and more. -
Napoleon's Coronation
On December 2nd, 1804, Napoleon was crowned Emporer of France in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. He was the first frenchman to hold this title in thousands of years. Napoleon was known as a great militay strategist, and upheld as one of the best. -
Exile to Elba
Due to the Treaty of Fontainebleau, Napoleon was banished from the throne and exiled to Elba, a Mediterranean island. After launching an attack on Russia, it left his followers broken and against him. Napoleon soon after abdictated and was sent to Elba after offering to step down in favor of his son. -
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100 Days
On March 20th, 1815, Napoleon returned from his exile on Elba to Paris. After making some liberal changes, it led to Austria, Britain, Prussia, and Russia to form an alliance against Napoleon. This led up to the Battle of Waterloo of June 18th. However, Napoleon abdictated a second time, this time sailing to St. Helena, essentially a prisonor. -
Congress of Vienna
The Congress of Vienna was brought together by the same four European powers which had defeated Napoleon. Their first goal was to create a balance of power and prevent imperialism. As well as to maintain peace between the nations.
