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Flour War
- The raise in prices of bread and grain became a desperate burden on the poorest populations. These peasants rioted because they had high taxes already and the raise in prices made them starve.
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Third Estate claims themselves as national assembly
The third estate took a daring step and declared themselves to be the national assembly. This was to represent the people of France. -
Tennis Court Oath
The national assembly found its meeting hall locked and guarded. The third estate then moved to a nearby tennis court. They then swore “never to separate and to meet wherever the circumstances might require until we have established a sound and just constitution.” Louis XVI accepted it. -
Beginning of French Revolution
Chaos broke out at a Paris wallpaper factory and there was a rumor that the owner was cutting wages while the bread prices were rising. Workers then vandalized his home and rioted through streets. -
Storming of Bastille
Streets of Paris spread with rumors that troops were going to occupy the capital. 800 Parisians then met outside the Bastille demanding weapons and gunpowder, but there was none there. The commander of Bastille opened fire on the crowd and many were killed. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
This document was partially modeled after the American Declaration of Independence. The Declaration further proclaimed that all male citizens were equal before the law, and that every French man had an equal right to hold public office. -
Olympe de Gouges Demanded Equal Rights for Women
Women were upset that the Declaration of the Rights of Man did not grant equal citizenship to them. Olympe de Gouges, a French playwright and political activist, proclaimed that "her rights are those of man." -
Constitution of 1791
This constitution 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. -
Declaration of Pillnitz
A statement issued by the rulers of Austria and Prussia to try to support the French monarchy and prevent a European war as a result of the French Revolution. -
Legislative Assembly Took Office
It survived for less than a year, and its economic problems fed renewed turmoil. -
Parisians stormed the palace of Tuileries
Armed revolutionaries in Paris stormed the Tuileries Palace and this conflict led France to abolish the monarchy and establish a republic. -
Radical Phase Started
France experienced one of the bloodiest regimes in its long history as determined leaders wanted to extend and preserve the Revolution. It was led by the Jacobins in their quest for freedom and equality. -
Robespierre was arrested
The 'Reign of Terror' and Robespierre's autocracy made him increasingly unpopular. the French military eventually did not agree with his harsh ways and he was put to death via the guillotine. -
Constitution set up a 5-man directory and 2 house legislatures
This was called the Directory and it replaced the Committee of Public Safety. This new form of government was unstable in the beginning but eventually rose up in all factors until it was overthrown by Napoleon. -
Napoleonic phase started
Began when Napoleon overthrew the Directory and established the French consulate. It Brought political stability to a land torn by revolution and war . -
Forced Spain to return Louisiana territory to France
The Third Treaty of San Ildefonso was an agreement between the Spanish Empire and the First French Republic which Spain agreed to exchange its North American colony of Louisiana for territories in Tuscany. -
Napoleonic wars began
The wars started after the French Revolution ended. The Napoleonic Wars were wars which were fought during the rule of Napoleon over France. These wars changed European military systems. Cannons became lighter and moved faster. -
Napoleon continued European domination and invaded Russia
Napoleon attempted to invade Russia to create trade between Russia and the United Kingdom, forcing Britain to seek peace. Napoleon invaded Russia with an army of 600,000. It was more than two times the size of the Russian army. -
Russia, Austria, Britain and Prussia defeated Napoleon
After Napoleon's lost most of his army in Russia. Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Sweden united against him. Only Austria remained neutral, but that did not last very long. It was the first break from the French coalition. Napoleon hoped one battle could turn it around, he rallied France for one more campaign in central Europe. -
congress of Vienna
The Congress of Vienna began in September 1814, with more than 200 officials from European states. They were redrawing the borders of Europe after the devastation caused by the Napoleonic and French Revolutionary Wars. Congress was initially led by the four great powers who had removed Napoleon: Austria, Russia, Prussia, and Great Britain. They restored Europe and it was a rejection of the French Revolution goals and the nationalist movements gaining pace in many European countries. -
battle of waterloo
On June 18, 1815, The Battle of Waterloo took place in Belgium and was the final defeat of Napoleon. The Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon’s forces were defeated by the British and Prussians, and this was the end of his reign and France’s domination in Europe. -
death of napoleon
Napoleon Bonaparte died on 5 May 1821 on the island of Saint Helena. An autopsy was done on May 6th, and he was buried in front of French and English witnesses.