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Louis XVI becomes king of France
When Louis XVI became king of France, he saw that the economy needed reform, bit he was not determined and not able to make changes. His first finance minister, Robert Turgot, the financial crisis by limiting government spending. But when Turgot proposed a reform that would tax the nobles, he came under attack. He was then dismissed in 1776, and the government skated by on bank loans for twelve years, slowly amounting great debt. -
Protesters storm the Bastille
Many people feared that because Louis XVI brought troops to Versailles, he planned to crush the revolution and and dissolve the National Assembly. This marked the end of the peaceful revolution, and turned into a violent revolution. -
The march on Versailles
A Paris crowd that was led by thousands of women marched to Versailles to confront Louis XVI. The women were angry about high food prices and believed that the king and queen were plotting against the National Assembly. The crowd demanded that Louis XVI return to Paris with his family so that they could watch over their actions. Louis XVI was escorted to Paris by the crowd while he wore the tricolor. That showed that the people of France were directing events. -
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The Reign of Terror
Facing many domestic and foreign threats, the National Convention set aside the constitution and created the Committee of Public Safety. With their almost dictatorial powers, they waged war on anyone they considered enemies of France. Their leader, Maximilien Robespierre, aimed to create a new France, one that every citizen would be proud of. They held public executions of dissenters, usually the poor, and bolstered the New French armies. After the Reign, France became a glorious nation again. -
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Napoleon's invasion of Russia
When Czar Alexander I broke his agreement with Napoleon and resumed trade with Britain, Napoleon decided to invade Russia. His decision was poorly planned out and resulted in his army fighting in the Russian Winter. This marked the downfall of Napoleon and his empire. -
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Uprisings in Italy
The revolts in the Austrian empire inspired more revolts in Italy. Revolutionaries in Sicily overthrew their king, and the people in other Italian states forced their rulers to grant liberal constitutions. Italian nationalists in Rome took it over because the pope refused to support the unification of Italy, as not to offend Austria. The Italian nationalists the established the Roman Republic. Although Austria crushed the revolts, liberals and conservatives still had dreams of a unified Italy. -
The revolution of 1848
François Guizot cancelled a huge public banquet because he feared it would lead to demonstrations and disorder. When they heard that the banquet was cancelled, thousands of people poured down the street protesting Guizot. After a few days, the revolt was successful and the leaders proclaimed the Second Republic. -
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Revolts in the Austrian Empire
After the news of the overthrow of Louis Philippe, university students, workers, and middle-class liberals flooded the streets of Vienna. They demanded a constitution, an end to feudalism, and the removal of Metternich. This sparked many other revolts in the empire, such as in Hungary, Bohemia, and northern Italy. Each revolt was suppressed and crushed. But such revolts sparked even more revolts in neighboring empires and countries. -
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The rise of Napoleon III
After the 1848 revolution, the monarchy was abolished, King Louis Philippe fled to England, and a provisional government was established. The provisional government underwent many revolts, and the people finally elected Louis Napoleon as the president of the Second Republic. As president, Louis Napoleon did very well in pleasing the majority of the people. And as such, he found very little resistance when he set up a virtual dictatorship. He won approval to be crowned Emperor of France. -
Attempt to unify Germany
Delegates from the German states met as a national parliament to work peacefully for German unity. The constitution stated that individual German states would give up many of their own powers to a central government, which was to be a monarchy. They offered the crown to Fredrick William IV, who declined because he felt it was an insult to become king by the will of the people, rather than German princes. He then sent an army to disband the parliament, ending the early attempt of unification.