-
France is in debt, King Louis XVI tries to tax the Second Estate but the nobles refuse to pay
ImageResourceFrance was becomming deeper and deeper in debt. The peasants were living lives of horrible poverty and things were continuing to get worse. France had funded two wars recently: the American Revolution and the French and Indian War. The lavish lives of the royalty was definitely not helping the economy either. King Louis attempted to tax the Second Estate, but they refused to pay and he did not enforce this on them. This sent the Third Estate deeper rage. -
The Estates General Meets in Versailles for the First Time in Approximately 175 Years
PictureInformation ResourceThere were six hundred deputies from the Third Estate, three hundred from the Second Estate, and three hundred from the First Estate. They debated on the issue of voting. If each deputy received a vote, the Third estate would have the advantage, but if each estate had only one, the First and Second be able to out vote them. -
The National Assembly Forms and Swears the Tennis Court Oath
ResourceImageUpon arriving at their designated meeting place, the Third Estate deputies found themselves to be locked out of the meeting hall. This was an obvious attempt of King Louis' to end their demands for reform. Enraged, they went to a nearby tennis court. The deputies could not determine which step to make next, so they decided upon swearing not to leave the tennis court until they had written a new constitution. This oath is now known as the Tennis Court Oath. -
Storming of the Bastille
-
King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette flee Paris in disguises, but are caught.
ResourceImageAfter being trapped in Paris, King Louis XVI had been forced to give upmuch of his power to the National Assembly. He hated their treatment of him and tried to flee Paris along with his familly in disguise. Close to the border of France, they were recognized, caught, and returned to France. -
Mob storms the Tuileries Palace and throws Marie Antoinette and her children in prison.
ResourceThe people stormed the Tuileries palace and captured the royal family in a clear box. There they heard debates on whether or not to suspend the monarchy and watched their prized posessions being strewn all about the room. As a result they were imprisoned. -
King Louis XVI executed by guillotine
ImageExecution of Louis XVIAfter determining to get rid of the monarchy for good, the execution of King Louis XVI was symbolic as the end of the monarchy. He was allowed a night to say goodbye to his family before he was executed. Crowds flooded the streets to witness the beheading of their king. -
The Reign of Terror is unleashed by the Committee of Public Safety; led by Maximilien Robespierre
-
Robespierre and his supporters are executed; the Reign or Terror ends.
ResourceImageIn 1794, the death tolls had risen too much and government officials were becomming sick of Robespierre. When he declared the need for a new purge, he was sentenced to death. Robespierre was executed by guillotine. He was the last victem of the Reign of Terror and his death was symbolic of it's end. -
Napoleon faced off against a mob of royalists trying to regain power in Paris
-
The French Revolution Ends
Image<ahref='http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/frenchrev/summary.html' >Resource</a>
The end of the French Revolution in 1799 was marked by Napoleon gaining charge. -
Napoleon takes control of French government
-
Napoleon sells the Louisiana Territory in North America to the United States
ResourceImageNapoleon had envisioned an empire that spread across the world. He hoped that the Louisiana territory would bring money to France. Unfortunately, it did not, and he needed money for his expansion in Europe. Therefore, he agreed to sell the land to the United States and what is known as the Louisiana Purchase. -
-
-
-
Napoleon attempts to invade and take over Russia
ImageResource Napoleon sent troops to Russia in an attempt to finally take it over. Unfortunately, this was a mistake which eventually led to his downfall. They defeated the Russians and went to Moscow, which they discovered lacked neccessary supplies. They were later surrounded by the Russian army led by Kutuzov and were forced to retreat. -
Napoleon defeated in Leipzig
ImageResourceNapoleon had been defeated by the Russian army, but he managed to rebuild and attempted to invade Germany. He believed the other European countries didn't trust each other enough to ally against him. He was wrong. A group of allies forced Napoleon to retreat to Leipzig, where they later defeated him.