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Tennis Court Oath
The National Assembly was made up of mainly the third estate. They got locked out of their meeting place so decided to meet at an indoor tennis court, on this day they took the Tennis Courth Oath vowing not to disband until they had drawn up a constitution for France. -
Fall of Bastille
The people of Paris stormed the Bastille because there was a rumor that royal troops were going to occupy the capital. The commander of Bastille opened fire on the crowd, this started the revolution. -
Great Fear
Rumors of marauders attacking peasants' villages and families, had peasants in a panic. The peasants armed themselves and began to attack the nobles' property. -
The Declaration of the Rights of Man
This document was modeled in part on the Declaration of Independence. All men were to remain free and equal in rights. It insisted that the government would protect natural rights of citizens. -
Women March on Versailles
A group of women burst into Versailles, angry at the queen, Marie Antoinette. She was accused of her immorality. The price of bread increased, therefore the people had trouble getting the bread. The women refused to leave Versailles until the king agreed to return to Paris with them. -
Civil Constitution of Clergy
Bishops and priests became elected. It ended papal authority over the French Church and ended monistaries. -
The Royal Escape
Louis and his family diguised themselves as peasants and a friend had helped them out as they tried to escape Paris. Although they were recognized and sent back to Paris. -
Declaration of Pilnitz
The King of Prussia and emperor of Austria threatened to intervene if necessary to protect the French Monarchy. Revolutionaries in France took the threat seriously and prepared for war. -
Constitution of 1791
It set up a limited monarchy in place of the absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries. A new Legislative Assembly had the power to make laws, collect taxes, and decide on issues of war and peace. This constitution ended Church interference in government and ensured equality before law for all citizens. -
Creation of the National Convention
Suffrage was to be extended to all male citizens, not just property owners. The National Convention voted to abolish the monarchy and declare France a republic. -
Execution of a Monarch
Radicals backed by Paris took over the Legislative Assembly. It called for election of a new legislative body, National Convention. Louie went on trial as a traitor to France and sentenced to death under the guillotine. -
Reign of Terror
Robespierre was the head of the Committee of Public Safety. Anybody that was suspected of challenging the government, being spies, or going against the Revolution were executed by being sent to the guillotine. -
Constitution of 1795
This consitution was set up of a five man directory and a two house legislature elected by male citizens of property. -
The Directory
Consisted of five men that held power from 1795-1799. -
Napolean becomes Consulate
Napolean became the leader of France by using the method called Coup d'Etat (a sudden seizure of power). After the directory lost confidence in the French people, Napolean wanted to be in charge of all of the French miltary. The Directory dissolved and appointed him as one of three "conculs" to run republic. -
Concordat of 1801
He made peace with the Catholic Church in the Concordat of 1801. It kept the church under state control but recognized religious freedom for Catholics. -
Coronation of an Emperor
A few years later, Napolean had got enough power in his hands to take the title Emperor of French. He invited the pope to his coronation at Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. He took the crown off of the pope and put it on his own head, showing that he owed his thrown to no one but himself. -
Battle of Trafalgar
This battle was fought off of the southwest coast of Spain. Brithish admiral Horatio Nelson smashed a French Fleet, during the battle he was fatally shot by a french sniper. This led to a blockade of European ports, which eventually triggered the War of 1812. -
Battle of Austerlitz
This battle was one of Napolean's greatest victories. This also took Austria out of war. -
Invasion of Spain
The invasion of Spain was Napolean's second mistake. They invaded Portugal, but went through Spain. Spanish rioted against invasion, then Napolean deposed Spanish king and replaced him with Napolean's brother. The spaniards were very angry and used guerilla tactics costing many lives of France. -
Invasion of Russia
Napolean gathered his grand army and about 600,000 soldiers from France and other countries invaded Russia. The Russians wanted to avoid battles so they retreated eastward, burning crops and villages on their way. -
Exile to Elba
As Napolean's enemies closed in on France, he stepped down from power. He was exiled to Elba, an island in the Mediterranean. King Louis XVIII was recognized as King of France, but that did not go smoothly. Napolean escaped and returned to France, his people cheered. -
Congress of Vienna
This was called in order to remake Europe after the downfall of Napolean. The main goal of the conference was to create a balance of power that would keep peace. -
A Hundred Days
After Napolean's return from his island exile, his triumph was short-lived. This was the period between Napolean's return and the return of Louis XVIII to Paris. -
Battle of Waterloo
The opposing armies met near the town of Waterloo in Belgium. It was an agonizing day long battle. Once again, Napolean wasw forced to abdicate and go into exile on a lonely island (St. Helena), but this time he would never return.
