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Isaac Newton published "Principia Mathematica"
Newton's formulation of the law of the universal gravitation exemplified the newly perceived power of the human mind. His physics portrayed a pattern of mechanical and mathematical rationality into the physical world. -
Montesquieu published "The Persian Letters"
Montesquieu was a lawyer, noble of the robe, and a member of provincial parlement. He held up the example of the British Constitution as the wisest model for regulating the power of government. -
Jean-Jaques Rousseau published "Discourse on the Moral Effects of the Arts & Sciences"
Rousseau said that the process of civilization and the Enlightenment had corrupted human nature. -
Encyclopedia Published
Published by Denis Diderot and Jean Le Rond d'Alembert. 17 volumes of articles and 11 volumes of illustrations completed in 1772. Encyclopedia included articles and illustrations on manufacturing, canal-building, ship construction, and improved agriculture. -
Rene Maupeou Appointed as Chancellor
Maupeou appointed by Louis XV. He was determined to increase taxes on the nobility. He abolished the parlements and exiled their members to different parts of the country. -
Louis XVI Takes Reign
Louis XVI took reign after Louis XV died of smallpox. He dismissed Maupeou, restored all the parlements, and confirmed old powers. -
Adam Smith published "The Wealth of Nations"
Smith believed the economic liberty was foundation of a natural economic system. He is also known as the founder of the laissez-faire economic policy, which favors a limited role for government in economic life. -
Charles Alexandre de Calonne- Minister of Finance
Calonne proposed to encourage internal trade, lower some taxes, transform peasants labor services on public works into money payments. -
Bad Harvest in France
Peasants were impoverished and in danger of starvation because of bread prices rising. -
Worker's Organization Forbidden
Peasants and workers were to be left to the freedom and mercy of the marketplace, without protection of association -
Parisians Marched to Bastille
Parisians marched to the Bastille to get weapons. Troops in Bastille fired into crowd killed ninety-eight people and wounding others. -
"The Great Fear"
Aristocrats in National Constituent Assembly attempted to halt the spreading disorder in the countryside. After that night, all French citizens were subject to the same and equal laws. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man & Citizen
Proclaimed all men were born and remain free and equal in rights. Natural rights were "liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression." -
Parisian Women's march on Versailles
Parisian women armed, marched to Versailles demanding more bread. -
Civil Constitution of the Clergy
National Constituent Assembly transformed the Roman Catholic Church in France into a branch of the secular state. Reduced number of bishoprics, and provided elections of pastors and bishops. -
Edmund Burke Attacks the Revolution
Published "Reflections on the Revolution in France." It condemned reconstruction of the French administration as the application of a blind rationalism that ignored the historical realities of political development and the concrete complexities of social relations. -
Declaration of the Rights of Woman
Written by Olympe de Gouge, addressed towards Marie Antoinette. It was a reprint of Declaration of the Rights of Man & Citizen, but added the word "woman". It demanded that women be regarded as citizens instead of just daughters, sisters, wives, and mothers of citizens. -
Reign of Terror
Government took extraordinary actions that involved almost every aspect of life. Thousands of people from all walks of life, including the king and queen, were arrested and some executed. These actions were to protect the revolution and silence of dissent. -
Napoleon's coup d'etat overthrows the Directory
Napoleon claimed leadership in the name of stability and national glory. First modern political figure to use rhetoric of revolution and nationalism, to back it with military force, and to combine these elements into a mighty weapon of imperial expansion in the service of his own power. -
Congress of Vienna
Agreed no single state should be allowed to dominate all of Europe. Strengthened the states around France's borders to serve as barriers. Goals were to prevent a recurrence of the Napoleonic nightmare and to arrange a lasting peace.
