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Montesquieu publishes book, On the Spirit of Laws
This book outlines ideas on how government would work best. Montesquieu believed that all things were made up of rules or laws that never changed. He also believed in checks and balances. These ideas were included in this famous book: On the Spirit of Laws. -
America declares Independence
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Indepence, which included the ideas of Locke, and the abuses of King George. The Americans were tired of the abuse by the King and they wanted to break away. They declare their independence in order to break away from Britain. -
French Revolution
The First and Second Estates paid no income tax and wars costed lots of money all of the time. King Louis XVI was in so much debt and the Thrid Estate was furious that he wasn't doing anything. This is when they start the Revolution for change. -
Napoleon overthrows the Directory through a coup d'etat
The Directory established a group of three consuls. Napoleon quickly took the title of First Consul. He assumed all of the powers of a dictator. -
Napoleon crowns himself emperor and begins to create a vast European Empire
Napoleon signed a concordat with Pope Prius VII saying that if Napoleon makes the Catholic religion the main religion of France, Napoleon will be emperor. At the ceremony, Napoleon grabs the crown and puts it on himself, showing that he is better than the church. This is a big symbol of the new ruling of France. -
Haiti wins freedom from France
Boukman called for the revolution. Toussaint L'Ouverture leaded the revolt because he saw the weaknesses of the French. After L'Ouverture was seized and sent to the French Alps, Jean-Jacques Dessalines took up the fight for freedom. Dessalines declares Haiti an indpendent country. -
Padre Hidalgo calls for Mexican Independence
Miguel Hidalgo, the Priest of Dolores, rings the bells to tell the time to everyone in the town. One day, he rings the bell at the wrong time, but everybody still gathered up. Hidalgo told them about Enlightenment ideas and other revolutions. Then they marched to Mexico City and the revolution begins. -
Napoleon is defeated at the Battle of Waterloo
Napoleon leads the French in the Battle of Waterloo. He waits for the mud to dry. This gives the Prussians time to arrive. The British and the Prussians soon charge on the French and the French surrender. Napoleon returns to France and is sent away to Elba.
