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Montesquieu publishes On the Spirit of Laws
Baron de Montesquieu publishes On the Spirit of Laws, a book 20 years in the making urging for a constitutional democracy, the separation of powers, and an abolition of slavery. The book was published anonymously published due to fear of trouble with the current monarchy, in fact, the Pope banned it, but it was still translated into many languages and helped influence the American constitution. -
America Declares Independence
America declares independence, sparking the revolutionary war against the British for independence. The declaration of independence was heavily influenced by the enlightenment thinkers John Loke, who's ideas of life liberty and property can clearly be seen in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and Rousseau, whose idea of the Social contract is shown in the entirety of the prologue. -
French Revolution
The French, inspired by the Americans, who in turn were inspired by the French, instigate a long and bloody rebellion ending with the abolition of power and ultimate death of of King Louis XVI, the creation of the Legislative Assembly of France, and setting the stage for Napoleon. The French people stormed Versailles and brought the king to Paris, where his power was slowly stripped away which gave rise to Maximilian Robespierre, an influential radical politician who was eventually beheaded hims -
Napoleon Overthrows the Directory
Napoleon, a Corsican general in the employ of France, overthrows the corrupt Directory in a coup d’etat. Napoleon was a popular figure among the French people after his success in defeating rebels surrounding the capitol and after feigning success in Egypt. After overthrowing the Directory, Napoleon held a plebiscite, a vote to establish him as leader. Once becoming leader, Napoleon standardized the law system; created lyces, public schools; and founded a national bank of France. -
Napoleon Crowns Himself Emperor
Napoleon had become one of the greatest leaders in Frances history and intended to finalize that position by being declared Emperor of France by Pope Pius VII in exchange for the Catholic Church becoming the official church of France. However, in the ceremony, Napoleon lifts the crown himself and places it upon his own head. He creates one of the largest empires in Europe in history at it's hieght, it spanned from Russia to Spain. -
Hati Wins It's Freedom from France
Haiti, known as Saint Domingue as a French colony, instigates one of the few ever successful slave rebellions in history. One of the instigators was a Voodoo priest named Boukman, who urged the slaves to rise up against the French. Led at first by a former slave named Toussaint L’Overture, the rebellion attempted to give more rights to the African peoples in the colony. Toussaint, however, was imprisoned by the French and died in a French prison. His succesor, Dessalines led Haiti to revolution. -
Grito de Dolores
Padre Miguel Hidalgo calls for a revolution in Mexico by ringing the church bells and persuading his town to march on Mexico City and become independent of Spain. However, at Mexico City, he is shot by the Spanish and is replaces by a Zambo priest, Jose Maria Morelos, who is also shot by the Spanish. The final leader is Augustine Iturbide, a creole who defeats Spain and declares himself Emperor of Mexico, but is subsequently killed by the people of Mexico. -
Waterloo
Napoleon, having being banished by the British, returns and declares himself Emperor of France once again for 100 days. Napoleon is ultimately defeated at The Battle of Waterloo by the Duke of Wellington after it rains and Napoleon’s cavalry is not able to march on Wellington’s forces. Napoleon is once again exiled to an even more remote island in the middle of the Atlantic where he dies shortly after.
