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The August Decrees were enacted on August 4 1789 by the French National Assembly put an end to feudal privileges in France. This meant that nobles and clergy lost their special rights while peasants were finally relieved from paying feudal dues and church tithes. These laws signified the collapse of the Old Regime and established equality for all citizens under the law. They played a crucial role in the French Revolution paving the way for the Declaration of the Rights of Man on that same month. -
The National Assembly in France has its roots back in 1789 when the Third Estate formed what was known as the National Constituent Assembly. It made a comeback between 1871 and 1875 to work on the constitution for the Third Republic. Over time, it evolved into the lower house of parliament during both the Fourth and Fifth Republics, with the upper house being referred to as the Council of the Republic in the Fourth and the Senate in the Fifth.
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In 1789, the Third Estate decided to break away from the Estates-General and formed the National Assembly, pledging to draft a constitution. After the storming of the Bastille, the king had no choice but to accept this shift. The Assembly went on to abolish feudal privileges and introduced the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. When the king pushed back, the people of Paris took matters into their own hands and brought him to the city. -
The Tennis Court Oath was a daring move by the Third Estate during the Estates-General, signaling the beginning of the French Revolution. They proclaimed themselves the National Assembly and committed to drafting a constitution. Following the storming of the Bastille, the king recognized their authority. The Assembly went on to eliminate feudal privileges and introduced the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. -
The storming of the Bastille marked a pivotal moment in the French Revolution. Parisians, worried that King Louis XVI would try to quash the National Assembly took matters into their own hands and stormed the Bastille, a fortress that had long been a symbol of royal oppression. At the time it housed just seven prisoners and was set to be torn down, but its capture became a powerful emblem of freedom and rebellion. This triumph of everyday people over royal authority ignited the revolution. -
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen is a cornerstone of human rights laying out the principles that fueled the French Revolution. This important document made up 17 articles was adopted by French National Assembly between August 20 and August 26 1789 and it served as the preamble to the Constitution of 1791. Similar declarations also acted as the preamble for the Constitution of 1793 (which was simply called the Declaration of the Rights of Man) and the Constitution of 1795. -
The Flight to Varennes was a significant event during the French Revolution. King Louis XVI attempted to flee Paris in hopes of reaching eastern France where they believed they could find support from royalist allies and foreign powers. Unfortunately they were recognized and apprehended in the town of Varennes then taken back to Paris. This botched escape severely tarnished the king’s reputation as a supporter of the Revolution and sparked a growing demand for the abolition of the monarchy. -
The Legislative Assembly, which operated from 1791 to 1792, played a crucial role in governing France during its constitutional monarchy. This assembly was responsible for creating laws and keeping an eye on King Louis XVI. However, as tensions rose and the war with Austria escalated, political chaos ensued, ultimately leading to the assembly's replacement by the National Convention after the monarchy was dismantled.
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The Assembly decided to go to war with Austria during the French Revolution. They thought that engaging in war would bring the nation together and help spread revolutionary ideas throughout Europe. Unfortunately, France wasn’t really ready for this fight, and the early battles didn’t go well at all. This conflict heightened tensions within France, sparking fears of a foreign invasion and increasing distrust towards King Louis XVI, who many believed was in cahoots with Austria. -
The National Convention which lasted from 1792 to 1795 was the revolutionary body that took charge of France after the monarchy was overthrown. It put an end to the monarchy proclaimed France as a republic and was responsible for the trial and execution of Louis XVI. Additionally it guided the nation through the tumultuous Reign of Terror led by the Committee of Public Safety as it battled both internal and external threats. The Convention came to a close in 1795 paving the way for the Directory
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The Storming of the Tuileries Palace took place during the French Revolution. A passionate crowd of revolutionaries descended upon the palace in Paris, where King Louis XVI and his family were holed up, driven by the fear that the king was conspiring with foreign foes. The palace was quickly overwhelmed, the royal guards were defeated, and the king was taken into custody. This pivotal moment marked the downfall of the monarchy and paved the way for the French Republic just a few months later. -
The execution of Louis XVI happened on January 21, 1793. After facing a treason trial by the National Convention, the former king was found guilty of plotting against the French nation. He met his end by guillotine in Paris, a shocking moment that signaled the definitive fall of the monarchy and escalated the Revolutionary Wars, as European powers reacted to his execution. -
The execution of Robespierre took at the end of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution. As a prominent figure in the Committee of Public Safety, Robespierre had grown increasingly authoritarian, orchestrating mass executions of those he deemed enemies. He was ultimately arrested by the National Convention, shot in the jaw, and guillotined alongside his supporters. His death marked the conclusion of the Revolution's radical phase and ushered in a more moderate government in France. -
The Directory from 1795 to 1799 was a five-member executive government that took charge in France after the National Convention. Its main goal was to bring stability after the chaotic Reign of Terror, but it struggled with issues like political corruption. To keep its grip on power, the Directory leaned heavily on the military, which ultimately paved the way for Napoleon Bonaparte's rise. The whole system came to an end in 1799 when Napoleon executed the Coup of 18 Brumaire.
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The Consulate was the government set up in France following Napoleon Bonaparte’s coup on 18 Brumaire. Napoleon took on the role of First Consul, wielding most of the power while two other consuls had more limited roles. This period helped stabilize France after years of upheaval brought about significant reforms in the legal and administrative systems (including the Napoleonic Code), and bolstered both the economy and the military. It came to an end in 1804 when Napoleon crowned himself Emperor.
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The Battle of Trafalgar took place on October 21 1805 amidst the Napoleonic Wars. Under the command of Admiral Horatio Nelson the British Royal Navy triumphed over the united fleets of France and Spain just off the Spanish coast. This pivotal victory not only secured British naval dominance but also thwarted Napoleons plans to invade Britain and lifted the spirits of the British people. Tragically Nelson lost his life in the battle but he emerged as a national hero in the eyes of his countrymen. -
The First French Empire, which lasted from 1804 to 1815 and was spearheaded by Napoleon Bonaparte, saw a significant expansion of French territory thanks to the Napoleonic Wars. During this time, it also rolled out important reforms, including the Napoleonic Code. However, the empire came to an end following Napoleon's defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, his subsequent exile to Saint Helena, and the eventual restoration of the monarchy.
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The Battle of Austerlitz during 1805, stands out as one of Napoleon Bonaparte’s most remarkable victories. In this historic clash, French forces delivered a decisive blow to the combined armies of Russia and Austria, an event often referred to as the Battle of the Three Emperors. Thanks to Napoleon’s masterful tactics, a smaller French army was able to outmaneuver and defeat the enemy, which not only solidified his grip on Central Europe but also paved the way for the Treaty of Pressburg. -
The Battle of Waterloo took place on June 1815 close to Waterloo which is in Belgium. It was a showdown between Napoleon Bonaparte and the allied forces led by Britain and Prussia. Unfortunately for Napoleon his army was defeated, which put an end to his Hundred Days return from exile and marked the final chapter of his rule. After this loss, he was exiled to Saint Helena, where he would spend the rest of his life, while Europe enjoyed a period of relative peace thanks to the Congress of Vienna. -
The Battle of Leipzig, often referred to as the Battle of Nations in 1813 during the Napoleonic Wars. In this significant clash Napoleon’s French army confronted a formidable coalition made up of Russian, Prussian, Austrian, and Swedish troops. The outcome was a decisive defeat for the French, who endured substantial losses, compelling Napoleon to retreat back to France. This battle was a pivotal moment in the conflict, setting the stage for the invasion of France