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Tennis Court Oath
It was a pledge signed by 576 members of the Third Estate who were locked out of a meeting. They had a conference inside a tennis court. They vowed not to disband until they had drawn up a constitution for France. -
Fall of Bastille
Also know as the Storming of the Bastille, the Fall is a symbol of the French Revolution. More than 800 Parisians assembled outside the Bastille and demanded weapons that they believed were being stored there. A commander refused to open the gates and began to open fire on the crowd. After relentless attempts, the crowd was able to break through and kill the commander. They released a few of the prisoners and found no weapons. -
Great Fear
This was a period which ended in August of 1789, in which peasants became fearful of bands that armed men were roaming the countryside spread in response to the worsening grain shortage of the spring. They began to arm themselves in self defense as rumors got worse. -
The Declaration of the Rights of Man
The Declaration of the Rights of Man was the first step toward writing a constitution. This document was modeled off of the American Declaration of Independence. It announced that all men were "born and remain free and equal in rights". It also allowed freedom of religion and forced taxed to be levied according to ability to pay. King Louis XVI was slow to accept these reforms. -
Women March on Versailles
Easily one of the most important events of the French Revolution, the Women's March on Versailles was exactly how the name describes it. Unhappy about how high the price of bread became, women in the marketplaces of Paris began to riot. They quickly became allied with Revolutionists, and stripped the city armory for their weapons. Then, they proceeded to march upon Versailles and demand King Louis XVI and his family to return to Paris. -
Civil Constitution of Clergy
It was a law passed that made bishops and priests elected, salaried officials. It also ended papal authority over the French Church and dissolved convents and monasteries. -
The Royal Escape
On this night, the Royal family attempted to escape. In a coach destined to Varennes, the King was disguised as a valet. Marie Antoinette was disguised as a governess and a loyal friend was pretending to be their wealthy Russian employer. They had stopped in a small town and were recognized. Their cover had been blown, and they were immediatley brought back to Paris, listening to cries of "Long live the Nation!" -
Declaration of Pillnitz
This was issued by Emperor Leopold II and Fredrick William II, stating that all European powers will intervene to protect Louis XVI, if he were to be threatened by revolutionaries. This began the French Revolutionary wars. Leopold wisely chose his wording so it would not force war to break out, although, the National Assembly still interpreted it as Austria declaring war. -
Constitution of 1791
France had always been an absolute monarchy. The Constituion of 1791 announced France as now a limited monarchy. It also gave a new Legislative Assembly the power to make laws, collect taxes and decide on issues of war in peace. Otherwise, decreasing the power of King Louis XVI. It abolished the old provincial courts and reformed laws. Basically, the Constituion completed the Revolution. -
Creation of the National Convention
They were a constitutional and legislative group which held executive power in France during the first years of the Republic. Key members of the Convention were Maximilien Robespierre and Jean-Paul Marat. The Convention was later succeeded by the Directory in 1795. -
Execution of a Monarch
The National Assembly sent King Louis XVI to death. That night he said goodbye to his wife and children, and was executed the very next day. -
Reign of Terror
This was a time period that began in September of 1793 and ended in July of 1794. It was full of violence that was marked by a mass of executions of the "enemies of the revolution" by the guillotine. Records were kept poorly on how many people were killed, but it is estimated to be a range from 16,000 to 40,000. The guillotine was nicknamed the "National Razor". -
Invasion of Russia
In 1812. Napoleon decided to invade Russia. The Russian General, Kutusov, refused to open battle. Napoleon had waited, and once he decided to retreat, Russian cannons opened fire. Napoleon left his army behind and fled by sled. -
The Constitution of 1795
This was very similar to the Constitution of 1791, and was prepared by the Thermidorian Convention. It established the Directory, two assemblies and a property owner's franchise. It is also known as the Constitution of Year III. -
The Directory
This was the start of the Executive Directory, which was a group of five "Directors" that held the majority of the power in France. They ruled until November 10, 1799. They had faced a series of political crises and had to deal with being inefficient and corrupt. The Directory was replaced with the Consulate. -
Napoleon becomes Consulate
Napoleon overthrew the Directory and served as the First Consul. This lasted until the start of the Napoleonic Empire in 1804. -
Concordat of 1801
The Pope had lost authority after the Civil Constitution of the Clergy was signed in 1801. The Vendeans were not happy with this, so an agreement was made. This agreement was called the Concordat of 1801, signed by both Napoleon and Pope Pius VII. It declared that the Roman Catholic Church was still the major church of France. It also said that the Church was under state control but able to have it's own religious freedom. Catholics liked this, while Revolutionists did not. -
A Hundred Days
These were the first one hundred days after Napoleon secretly returned from Elba. He created an amry and tried to defeat Britain and Prussian forces. Failing, Britain then exiled him to St. Helena. -
Coronation of an Emperor
Deciding to crown himself, Napolean was coronated as Emperor of the French. He wants to be successful and prove that France can be ruled by one leader. -
Battle of Trafalgar
This was a battle fought at sea between Britain's Navy and both the French and Spanish Navies. It was a British victory. -
Battle of Austerlitz
Also known as the Battle of the Three Emperors, this was one of Napoleon's greatest victories. The battle took place near Austerlitz, and Napoleon defeated Tsar Alexander I and Francis II of Holy Roman Empire in the matter of nine hours of fighting. -
Invasion of Spain
France invaded and gained control of Spain in 1796. They then also attempted to invade Lisbon. -
Exile to Elba
After abdication in 1814, Napoleon was sent to Elba. He was able to keep his own guard of 600 men, and stayed for about 300 days. Typically he would have been treated well in Elba. However, at the time, it was being patrolled by the British Navy. He returned to France on February 26, 1815. -
Congress of Vienna
This was a conference of ambassadoors that met in Vienna from 1814 to 1815. The point of this was to figure out the problems that came from the French Revolution. -
Battle of Waterloo
This was a day-long battle during the Hundred Days of Napoleon's restoration. It was between Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington. Napoleon was forced to give up and go into exile on St. Helena, and never return.
