Napoleon on horseback at  007

Enlightenment and Nationalist Revolutions

  • Montesquieu publishes book, On the Spirit of Laws

    Montesquieu publishes book, On the Spirit of Laws
    Montequieu's focus was the seperation of powers in government. His ideas are apparent in the American Constitution
  • America declares independence

    America declares independence
    America declares independence from Britain, citing enlightenment ideas as inspiration
  • French Revolution

    French Revolution
    The French lower class rebelled, and eventually captured and killed the king
  • Napoleon overthrows the Directory through a coup d’etat

    Napoleon overthrows the Directory through a coup d’etat
    Napoleon overthrows the Directory and takes control of the government. He starts with France, and eventually controls most of Europe
  • Haiti wins freedom from Franch

    Haiti wins freedom from Franch
    This is the only slave revolt in history ever to be successful.
  • Napoleon crowns himself emperor, begins to create a vast European Empire

    Napoleon crowns himself emperor, begins to create a vast European Empire
    When Napoleon had the Pope crown him, he took the crown from the Pope and crowned himself, symbolizing that he was more powerful than the most powerful man in Europe
  • Padre Hidalgo calls for Mexican Independence

    Padre Hidalgo calls for Mexican Independence
    Padre Hidalgo rang the church bell and called the townspeople to a meeting where he called for a revolt
  • Napoleon is defeated at the Battle of Waterloo

    Napoleon is defeated at the Battle of Waterloo
    Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo by another European coalition lead by Wellington and the British