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Seven Years War
The Seven Years War started when England declared war on France in 1754 and lasted for nine years. France defeated the British several times and had Canada. However, by 1760, “France had been expelled from Canada, and by 1763 all of France’s allies in Europe had either made a separate peace with Prussia or had been defeated” (History). The war was concluded with the treaties of Hubertusburg and Paris in February 1763. In the end, France was forced to give up Canada and gave Louisiana to Spain. -
Marriage Between King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette at fifteen years of age, from Austria, married Louis XVI, not yet king at the time. The young monarchy was blamed for the corrupt French government and was very unpopular by the citizens. Further into the French Revolution, the couple tried to receive help from other countries when they were personally attacked. The rest of France was concerned that Antoinette would reunite with Austria. -
American Revolution
The American Revolution was a revolt by the American patriots against the British because of their taxation without representation. A major importance for the American Revolution was the help of France to the Americans. They signed treaties, including the Treaty of Alliance. However, while the Americans received independence from Britain, France was put into major debt. This was a cause of the French Revolution because they did not have power because of the debt. -
Tennis Court Oath
A meeting took place in Versailles, France, with representatives of the Third Estate on the Jeu de Paume, an indoor tennis court, in rebellion of the King. King Louis XVI ordered the citizens to disperse. At this tennis court, the citizens of the Third Estate took an oath not to disperse until a change to the French constitution had been endorsed. -
Storming on the Bastille
A group of craftsmen stole weapons to fight against the monarchy. Their stolen rifles did not contain any gunpowder. Therefore, they raided the Bastille for gunpowder because the location was a symbol of the king.. Marquis de Launay tried to negotiate with the revolutionaries. However, the group of invaders grew, and the guards were ordered to fire. As a result, eight-hundred men destroyed the Bastille, seven men were freed, and Marquis de Launay was beheaded. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
The National Assembly was determined to add equality to the rules of the French government. These representatives made a conclusive statement regarding how they want to be treated a citizens and added seventeen articles. The people wanted inalienable rights of man with respect. They wanted their demands or requests to be heard as much as the nobility. This political institution was the start of equality amongst France.. -
Georges Danton's Significance
Georges Danton became popular with the people because he was a very good public speaker. He supported the people of Paris and later went on to join the Convention. He became a competitor of Robespierre because Danton was opposed to his ideas. During his time at the revolutionary court, he voted in favor of the execution of Louis XVI and the exclusion for the Girondist group. The people only started to become less favorable of Danton when they realized that his demands were not forceful enough. -
War on Austria
In 1792, European monarchs were anxious when the people of France overthrew Louis XVI because the revolution would spread to other countries. France was also paranoid because their new government could easily be defeated by these other countries. Revolutionaries wanted war because they hoped that it would unite the country. The Legislative Assembly of France declared war on Austria on April 20, 1792. As the war was difficult for France at first, they later proved to be more successful. -
King Louis XVI's Death
King Louis XVI not very popular with the people of France, starting with his marriage to Marie Antoinette from Austria. King Louis XVI could have received more acceptance if he would have made a reform the the constitution. When King Louis XVI and his wife tried to flee to Austria, they were found guilty of treason. In August 1792, the couple was imprisoned and their monarchy was abolished by the National Convention. Eventually, both the king and queen were sentenced to death by the guillotine. -
Committee of Public Safety
In April 1793, the National Convention established the Committee of Public Safety to make decisions when in a state of emergency when the National Committee was not taking control. However, the Committee did not the automatic power to make decisions on their own. Its existence was dependent on the National Convention because the National Convention would scrutinize their actions and affirm them by voting. The people realized that responsibility should be shared amongst different groups. -
Charlotte Corday Kills Jean-Paul Marat
Jean-Paul Marat, activist for violence, was against the Girondists, who wanted a representational government and continental war. Charlotte Corday was a major ally of the Girondists. As they were both on the same side of the French Revolution, their ways about going it were extremely diverse. When Marat was laying in his bath, Corday stabbed him in the chest. Corday did not run away; she waited for the police to arrived. Four days later, Corday was sent to the guillotine. -
The Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror was a time period in France when French people were killing their own citizens out of fear. Anyone slightly suspicion was arrested. Some were even executed without trial. About 40,000 people died throughout these 15 months. The new constitution was suspended, and many were accusing Robespierre of becoming a despot for this terror. After this Reign of Terror, the Great Terror began in June 1794, when Robespierre completely took over the Committee of Public Safety.
