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Louis XVI becomes King of France
King Louis is crowned King during a time of political turmoil. He was ruled as an absolute ruler like his ancestors before him. -
Calling of the Estates- General
King Louis called the General Estates for the first time in 175 years. The legislative was made of the first, second, and third estates. -
Formation of the National Assembly
The third estate wasn't getting a fair vote when it came to the legislative. They then created their own Assembly and said that it represented the French citizens. -
Attack of Bastille
The people attacked the prison to gather weapons and let out all of the political prisoners that the king locked away. That attack was the starting point of the French Revolution -
French Women force Louis XVI to leave Versailles
The women protested the rising price of bread. They also thought that Queen Marie Antoinette was spending money carelessly, and wanted her dead. -
The Great Fear
A famine started and rumors flew around that soldiers were taking the peasants crops and attacking villages. So, the peasants started to steal grain from the nobles. -
National Convention is formed
It was formed and allowed all male citizens to vote. They wanted to abolish the monarchy and create a republic. -
King Louis is executed
The people tried him as a traitor to France. Marie Antoinette was later executed as well, which signified the abolishment of the monarchy. -
Reign of Terror
Robespierre became the leader of the Committee of Public Safety and started executing the nobles, clergy, and peasants. He executed any one who was considered a traitor to France. He had 300,000 people arrested and 17,000 executed. He was later executed along with some of the heads of the Committee of Public Safety. -
The Directory is formed
They helped France's economy and established some schools. The Directory helped France build up their army and fight some of their foes, such as Austria and Great Britain. -
Napoleon takes power
He was an accomplished General and has won many important battles. Which in turn won hime the support of his soldiers and the citizens of France. He then assumed power and gave himself the title of Emperor. -
Napoleon invades Russia
Tsar Alexander I was an ally to Napoleon, but then he decided to withdraw his support. So, Napoleon took his army and attempted to invade Russia. Once he got there the Russians had already moved south and had burned everything on their way. So, the soldiers had no food, shelter, and the harsh winter was approaching. Before the winter fully hit Napoleon retreated with the remainder of his army. -
Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo
Napoleon was defeated by the British and Prussian forces. The battle lost a day before Napoleon surrendered and was exiled to an island in the South Atlantic.
