-
French and Indian War
This war between France and Great Britain is specifically the North American battles that occurred from the Seven Years' War. It resulted in significant changes regarding the territorial division of North America. The Treaty of Paris ending the conflict gave Britain control over all lands east of the Mississippi River and Canada. Britain also gained Florida, but France was able to keep its territories in the Caribbean used for sugar production. -
The Seven Years' War
This war represented a change in previous alliances, with the Habsburg-French rivalry ending. France sided with Austria in opposition to Prussia and Great Britain as two different sides to the war emerged. The main fights were between Britain and France, and Austria and Prussia. Britain and France battled over several different territories such as India and North America. Prussia emerged as a great power after this war and Great Britain gained large amounts of territory. -
French Revolution
The French Revolution brought enormous change to the European power of France. It severely affected social order due to the changes in political structure. Franc became a republic which opened up more positions of power and influence in the government for French citizens. The people also felt more important due to the destruction of the monarchy and continued to infuse Enlightenment ideals into their desires for the government. -
Women's March on Versailles
This event resulted from France's poor economic and market choices that caused high prices and low availability of bread for peasants. It involved many upset Parisian women marching on Versailles to demand change. These women wanted the king to fix the food shortage and for the royal family to leave Versailles and return to Paris. This movement resulted in a large decrease of the king's authority and independence, allowing the Revolution to gain more traction. -
Bastille Day
This event is widely regarded and celebrated as the start of the French Revolution. It sparked the subsequent changes to France's political structure. Bastille Day occurred when citizens heard that the king was going to disband the National Assembly. In reaction, they rioted a prison in Paris, known as the Bastille. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizens
This document was issued by the National Assembly of France and closely resembles the American Declaration of Independence in theme. It represents continuity in the influence of Enlightenment ideals. This document called for representative government, popular sovereignty, natural rights, and other concepts. All of these ideas were influenced by Enlightenment thinkers such as Rousseau and Locke. -
Civil Constitution of the Clergy
This policy was created by the National Assembly of France and was part of the significant political changes occurring with the French Revolution. This law placed the Catholic Church completely under the authority of the state. It also required clergy to owe their primary allegiance to France. In addition, the process of choosing bishops and priests was changed to an election by assemblies. -
Haitian Slave Revolt
This revolt showed a change in colonization and authority of France after the French Revolution. Franc owned very productive sugar colonies in Haiti with countless slaves working on the production. Inspired by France and also enabled by the nation's distraction, Haitian slaves led by Toussaint L'Ouverture rebelled and took back control of their land. Eventually, European plantation owners were permitted by the Haitians to return to the land for business. -
Reign of Terror
This event occurred as a result of the changes to France's monarchies and the reactions of other nations. Many European countries allied against France, while France struggled to reunite due to conflict between the Jacobins and Girondins. The Jacobins decided to go on the Reign of Terror out of fear that the French Revolution would not succeed. They attempted to kill all opponents of the Revolution, and ended up executing around 50,000 people in France. -
Civil Code
This was a new body of law established by Napoleon to stabilize France after the Revolution. It included several new systems and regulations involving governing the people, property, and civil procedures. The revolutionary principles were infused throughout these codes and even included some Enlightenment ideas. Some of the principles enforced by the Civil Code were equality of male citizens, religious toleration, and property rights.