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Louis XVI Crowned King of France
(1774-1791) As a result of his grandfather’s death, Louis XV of France, Louis XVI became king. Because his parents and his only surviving brother had died, he became king at age five. Until he became of age, France was governed by a regent. -
Period: to
French Revolution
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Calling of The Estates-Generals
(May-June 1789) The estates-generals was the first meeting since 1614, which is a general assembly representing the French social orders. This was brought to an end when the 3rd estate formed into the National Assembly, inviting the 1st & 2nd estates to join. This signaled the outbreak of the French Revolution. -
Formation of The National Assembly
(June 13-July 9, 1789) The representatives for all 3 estates disagreed on the decision making, which led to the 3rd estate to form their own assembly, The National Assembly. -
The Tennis Court Oath
(June 20, 1789) The 3rd estate was locked out of the meeting room in Versailles. So, they broke into an indoor tennis court on the grounds of Versailles. The members pledged to stay until a new constitution was established. -
Attack on The Bastille
(July 14, 1789) Opponents of the French monarchy stormed the Bastille, the most notorious prison in France at the time. The Bastille was shown as a symbol of King Louis XVI’s regime. Its fall was the flashpoint of the French Revolution. -
The Great Fear
(July 17-August 3, 1789) The Great Fear was a general panic at the start of the French Revolution. In response to rumors involving the shortage of grain, the fearful peasants armed themselves in self-defense, and in some areas attacked large country houses. -
French Women Force Louis XVI To Leave Versailles
(October 5, 1789) This is known as The Women’s March on Versailles. The march began when the women in Paris began rioting over the high price and scarcity of bread. The market women and their various allies grew into a mob of thousands. They ransacked the city armory for weapons and marched to the Palace of Versailles. In a violent and dramatic confrontation, the crowd successfully pressed their demands upon King Louis XVI. -
Declaration of War Against Austria
(April 20, 1792) France’s governing body declared war on Austria. Reactionaries & the monarchy wanted war because they thought that the new government would be easily defeated by foreign powers. Although the French fared poorly at first, the armies became more successful as the war progressed. -
The National Convention Is Formed
(September 21, 1792-October 26, 1795) The National Convention was a single-chamber assembly that governed France during the French Revolution. It was elected to provide a new constitution after the overthrow of the monarchy. -
Louis XVI Is Executed
(January 21, 1793) He was tried for high treason before the National Convention, and condemned to death.
He was executed by the guillotine. His execution made him the 1st victim of the Reign of Terror. -
Reign of Terror
(September 5, 1793-July 28, 1974) After the death of Louis XVI the Reign of Terror began. The Reign of Terror is a period of violence which occurred after the beginning of the French Revolution. The guillotine was put to work and public executions were considered educational. The Terror was designed to fight the enemies of the Revolution. -
The Thermidorian Reaction
(July 27, 1974) The Thermidorian Reaction was a revolt within the French Revolution. This resulted in the fall of Maximilien Robespierre and the collapse of revolutionary fervor and the Reign of Terror. -
The Directory Is Formed
(November 2, 1795-November 10, 1799) The directory was the government of France during the next to last stage of the French Revolution. As revolutionary France recovered from the Terror, it was decided that they needed a new constitution. This was the first government of France to be split into 2 houses (Council of Elders & Council of Five Hundred). -
Napoleon Takes Power
(November 9/10, 1799) This marked the end of the French Revolution & the beginning of Napoleon’s dictatorship. Napoleon rose in the ranks of the French Revolutionary Army rapidly. He dominated most of Europe for almost 2 decades while leading France into a series of coalitions and wars. He is considered one of the greatest commanders in history. -
Napoleon Invades Russia
(June 24-December 14, 1812) This began when Napoleon’s army crossed the Neman River in an attempt to engage and defeat the Russian army. Napoleon hoped to force Tsar Alexander I of Russia to cease trading with British merchants through proxies in an effort to pressure the United Kingdom to sue for peace. The Russians won. This was the destruction of the French allied army. -
Napoleon’s Defeat At Waterloo
(June 18, 1815) This marked the final defeat of French military leader and emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, who conquered much of Europe in the early 19th century. Napoleon lost against the Duke of Wellington, which brought an end to the Napoleonic Era. Napoleon was one of the greatest military strategists in history.
