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Louis XVI Calls the Estates General
An assembly put together by King Louis XVI to propose solutions to Frances financial problems. With all of the different Estates in the realm having influence. This signaled the first real outbreak of the French Revolution. -
Tennis Court Oath
The Tennis Court Oath was named after the place it happened in. It was originally meant to happen in a meeting hall but guards blocked the door. The meeting was then moved to indoor tennis courts. This is where the famous oath was decided that all members would stay and the French rule of government would not collapse. -
Writing of the Declaration of the Rights of Men
Pushed forward by the Estates General, this declaration was similar to our own declaration of independence. It stated the many different old and new ways the French believed that people deserved to be treated and their basic rights. This stood as a figure for the French people to stand for. -
Parisians Storm the Bastille
Citizens were now very upset with the French ruler and the higher government. Many started to form small rebellious groups. They then stormed a prison and took munitions and freed captives. This was one of the first massive physical movements in the French Revolution. -
March on Versailles
The Women's March on Versailles was an important event at the start of the French Revolution. On the morning of October 5, 1789, a large group of women in a Paris marketplace began to revolt. It gave the revolutionaries confidence in the power of the people over the king. -
Establishment of the New French Constitution
The constitution made a new structure for Frances government. It reduced the power of a Monarch and gave many more alienable rights or rights of man to the normal citizens. This helped France become a much less impoverished country and helped them develop into newer times. -
Reign of Terror
This was a period during the french revolution when many massacres happened. This was due to the revolting French people against the current form of government and monarchy. This time only resulted in more behavior hated by the French people. -
Execution of the King and Queen
In January Louis was convicted and put to death by a narrow majority. On January 21 he was put to the guillotine and was executed. Nine months later the Queen was convicted of treason by a tribunal and on October 16 she followed the king to the guillotine. This was loved by the french people as these two had caused pain for so many in the past. -
Napoleon Overthrows the Directory
In an event known as the coup of 18 Brumaire. Napoleon was part of a group that successfully overthrew the French Directory. He then became a more military leader and expanded his empire to a large scale. -
Napoleon Builds an Empire
Napoleon was a very powerful and tactical military leader. He was able to expand his rule to many areas surrounding France. This was due to the way he ruled as he still attempted to help the people as well as expand and strengthen. -
Napoleon Invades Russia
Napoleon brought a large army of 600,000 men hoping to beat Russia is less than a month. This was put down by his advisors but he still tried. When he would try to fight the Russians would just run. Resulting in the French army to become weak and not effective. -
The Congress of Vienna Meets
The Congress of Vienna was a conference of ambassadors of European states. It was called to come up with a stop to Napoleon's takeover of the area and expansion of France. As well as to establish peace in general. -
6th Coalition Occupies Paris
Following Napoleon's retreat from Russia and the subsequent defeat of his army by the Sixth Coalition at Leipzig. The armies of the Sixth Coalition invaded France and advanced toward Paris, which started on March 31, 1814. The battle resulted in the allies and some of Napoleons old allies attacking the city and overthrowing Napoleon and winning the war. -
King Louis XVIII Starts his Reign
King Louis XVIII started his reign after Napoleons. He and others believed this was his rightful place. However Napoleon eventually escaped and came back for the thrown. -
Napoleon Defeated at Waterloo
This was a battle that finally concluded a 23 year long war. It included many mishaps and miscommunication from the French army. They were also outnumbered and needed to win before more help from the enemy arrived. This resulted in panic and confusion from the French and lost them the battle and the war.