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King Louis XVI calls the Estates General
King Louis XVI called people who represented the clergy, nobility, and commoners to help with France's financial problems. This caused the people in the estates to talk about their problems and join together (especially Third Estate) - First and Second Estates join the Third Estate in the newly formed National Assembly -
First and Second Estates join the Third Estate in the newly formed National Assembly
Representatives from the Third Estate broke away from the Estates-General and formed the National Assembly; as discontent grew and popular support for the National Assembly grew, some First and Second Estates members joined. This caused the Declaration and Constitution to be written, as the National Assembly worked together to write those. -
The storming of the Bastille
The monarchy-controlled Bastille was stormed by a Parisian mob for ammunition stored there, and because it was a symbol of tyranny. This effected people's opinions to become stronger about the revolution and led to more drastic events - the execution of the king. -
The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
the National Assembly formally adopted the Declaration, which outlined important human rights and principles that were inspired by Enlightenment ideals. This caused inspiration for the Constitution made for France's monarchy. -
The Women’s March on Versailles Napoleon's coup d'etat, overthrowing the Directory
Due to food shortages, Parisian women protested and tried to convince King Louis XVI to relocate to Paris. Napoleon executed a successful coup d'état, overthrew the Directory, and established himself as First Consul. The instability in France caused Napoleon to be able to 'swoop in' and take control. -
The Constitution of 1791 sets up a constitutional monarchy in France when written
The Constitution established a constitutional monarchy in France by defining a system where the king's power was limited by a legislative assembly that had a unicameral legislature and parts of a representative government. This was one of the causes of the king's execution, as now there were rules and limits he had to follow (which he didn't). -
The Legislative Assembly declares war on Austria
The French Legislative Assembly declared war on Austria, which was the start of the French Revolutionary wars. This was a cause of France's chaos under Ropespierre's Reign of Terror, because the wars resulted in France's economy and people suffering, and left France very vulnerable. -
Louis XVI is executed at the guillotine
King Louis XVI of France was put on trial for conspiracy against the state and was found guilty, and so had a death sentence. He was executed at the guillotine, and this symbolized the abolition of the monarchy. This was caused by the constitution that was drafted by the assembly that made rules for the monarch, and Louis XVI was found to be going against that constitution. -
Robespierre's Reign of Terror
Led by Maximilien Robespierre, the Committee of Public Safety did mass executions by guillotine as a response to "counter-revolutionary threats", which resulted in much political repression and fear. This effected the French people by making them weak and more 'accepting' towards another tyrant (Napoleon). -
The Directory is installed
It was installed as the governing body of France after the fall of the radical Jacobin regime, and it had a five-member executive directory and a two-chamber legislative assembly. This was caused by the execution of the King and the creation of the Legislative Assembly, as the death of the king left a power gap that needed to be filled, and the creation of the Assembly resulted in a governing body being installed instead of another monarch. -
Napoleon is defeated in Russia Battle of Trafalgar
Napoleon was defeated in Russia during the harsh winter of 1812 and he faced a naval defeat by the British Royal Navy at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, which marked a turning point in the Napoleonic Wars. This was caused by the Legislative Assembly declaring war on Austria and other European countries, and the wars continued during Napoleon's reign. -
Napoleon is defeated by Horatio Nelson
the Battle of the Nile, Napoleon's fleet was defeated by Horatio Nelson's British Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. This caused the Continental System to be implemented, as it was a contributor towards Napoleon's unsteady relationship with Britain. -
The Continental System is implemented
Napoleon implemented the Continental System, a trade blockade against the British Isles to isolate them economically and weaken their economy, but it ultimately led to economic hardships for Europe as a whole. Napoleon's bad relationship with Britain (defeated by Horatio Nelson) caused this event. -
Napoleon is defeated at Leipzig (Battle of the Nations)
Napoleon was defeated at the Battle of Leipzig, where a coalition of European forces significantly impaired his army, which led to his eventual retreat from Germany. This was a cause for Napoleon's exile, as it increased the dislike towards him and also he was causing more harm than good as a leader. -
Napoleon is exiled to St. Helena Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo
After his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon was exiled to the island St. Helena, where he spent the rest of his life alone until he died. Napoleons many defeats caused this event.