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American Revolution
Ended on September 3, 1783. It was the first modern revolution. It was also the first time in history that people fought for their independence in the name of certain universal principles such as rule of law, consitutional rights. and popular sovereignty. The American Revolution set up a democratric government. As a result, the idea of democracy influenced the French to rise against their government; therefore, leading to the French Revolution. -
Debt Crisis
Began in 1783 and ended in 1788. The French lent money to the Americans, putting them into debt and eventually causing a civil unrest. The debt then lead Louis XVI to implement new taxations and to reduce priveleges. -
Assignats
This event occured from 1789-1794. A type of a monetary instrument used during the time of the French Revolution. -
Jacobins
Jacobin is a member of a democratic club established in Pairs (1789). They rose to power in 1793-1794. They were the most radical and ruthless of the political parties formed in the wake of the French Revolution. The Jacobins became identified with extreme egalitarinism and violence-this led to the Revolutionary government. -
Sans-Culottes
This event occured during the late 18th century (about 1789-1794). The Sans-Culottes were the common people of the lower classes. They supported the abolition of all the authorities and privileges of the monarchy. They were seen as the truest and most authentic sons and daughters of the French Revolution. They also held up as living representatives of the revolutionary spirit. -
Inequality in France
Ended in 1814. In the 1780s, the population of France was about 26 million. 21 million of those lived in agriculture. As opposed to nobility, the peasents had to pay taxes. This caused major social inequality and thus leading to the French Revolution. -
Cahiers
This event happened in March and April of 1789. Cahiers brought attention to the way the people were being treated. This lead to people speculating about their country, causing more violence. -
Meeting of the Estates General
This event happened in May and June of 1789. This event angered the people of the third estate: This caused them to break away because they were outnumbered. -
Tennis Court Oath
This was a pledge that was signed by 576 of the 577 members from the Third Estate who were locked out of a meeting of the Estate-General on June 20, 1789 on the tennis court. All of these people took an oath never to separte until a written constution had been established for France. -
Storming of the Bastille
This event gave the National Assembly gun powder, brought revolt to Louis XVI attention, and it set the tone for the French Revolution. -
Great Fear
This event occured from July 17, 1789 to August 3, 1789. The peasents and nobility were trying to come up with an idea of what the new governement should be like. This made the king mad, therefore, leading to the French Revolution. This event also opened up a vulnerable spot in the French government. -
August Decrees (End Special Priviileges)_
This event lead to the end of many clerical and noble rights and privileges. This made the Third Estate happier because more equality was present. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
This document granted sovereignty to all French people. This document stated that liberty is a natural right of man and that men are born and remain free and equal in rights. -
Women March on Versailes
This event brought people representing sources of the Revolution together, in their largest numbers yet. This event also ended the King's independence and signified the change of reforms and power. -
Civil Constitution of Clergy
Under the Civil Constitution of Clergy, bishops and priest became elected officals. When the government punished the cleregy who refused to accept it, a huge gulf opened up between revolutionaries in Paris and the peasentry in the provinces. -
Escape to Varennes (King Flees)
This event happened on June 20 and 21 in 1791. King Luois XVI and his queen tried to unsuccessfully espace from Paris. The King's attempted flee provoked charges of treason that ultimately led to his own execution in 1793. -
Declaration of Pilnitz
This was a statement issued on August 27, 1791 at Pillnitz Castle. This declared the joint support of the Holy Roman Empire and of Prussia for King Loius XVI of France against the French Revolution. This event eventually lead to France declaring war against Austria. -
Emigres
An Emigres is somebody who leaves their country to settle in another one; usually for political reasons. At the beginning, it was mainly Aristrocrats who fled from France in the years following the French Revolution. Many of them plotted against the Revolutionary government. -
Committee of Public Safety
This event occured during April, June, and July of 1793. This committee was set up during one of the crises of the Revolution. The new committee was there to provide defense for the nation against enemies, foreign and domestic, and to oversee the executive government. -
Reign of Terror
This event happen from September 5, 1793 to July 28, 1794. It was a period of violence after the onset of the French Revolution. Began the offical period of the French Revolutiom. Eventually, the Committee of Public Safety was established the government of France during the Reign of Terror. -
Napoleon's Coup 18 Brumaire
This event brought Napoleon Bonaparte to power and ended the French Revolution. -
Napoleonic Code
This code gave post-revolutionary its first coherent set of laws concerning property, colonial affarirs, the family, and the individual rights. -
Continental System
This happened on November 21, 1806 to April 11, 1814. It was the foreign policy of Napoleon I of France. This was a blockade to help with his struggles against Great Britian. -
Napoleon's Invasion of Spain
This event occured on May 2, 1808 through April 17, 1814. This was the first sign of decline for the lberian rulers was the rise of Napoleon following the Revolution. -
Napoleon's Invasion of Russia
This event marked the beginning of the end for Napoleon. With freezing temperatures, food shortages, disease and Russian assaults, Napoloen was defeated. -
Waterloo
This battle was fought on a Sunday. A French army under the command of Napoleon Banaparte was defeated by two of the armies of the Seventh Coalition.
