-
Estates General
A meeting called by King Louis that brought representatives from all three estates to Versailles. The purpose of the meeting was to sort out France's financial problems. -
The Storming of the Bastille
The French Revolution began with the storming of the Bastille. The third estate stormed and took the military prison. During the attack they stole weapons and freed prisoners loyal to their cause. -
The Declaration of the Rights of Man
The document was drafted by the national assembly which was controlled by the third estate. It is known as a human civil rights document. It was written with the help of American, Thomas Jefferson. -
Establishment of the New Constitution
Written by the National Assembly during the French Revolution. It retained the monarchy but created the legislative assembly. The constitution lasted for less than one year. -
Execution of King Louis XVI
The national convention convicted the king on a near unanimous vote to be put to death by the guillotine. This event was a major turning point in the French Revolution. -
Napoleon Overthrows the Directory
The Directory was a five member committee that governed France. It was eventually overthrown by Napoleon and replace with the French Consulate. -
Period: to
Napoleon's Empire
After taking control of the French government, Napoleon started to build his empire. Once Napoleon was finished, his empire was among the strongest in Europe. -
Napoleon Invades Russia
Once Napoleon created his empire, he wanted to expand it. He took his army and invaded Russia in hope of defeating the Russians and expanding his empire. -
The Congress of Vienna
The Congress of Vienna was a meeting of ambassadors of European States, held in Vienna. The meeting was chaired by Austrian statesmen, Klemens von Metternich. -
Napoleon is Defeated at Waterloo
Napoleon led his army to Waterloo and was defeated by two Seventh Coalition armies. This defeat crippled Napoleon's army and started the downhill trend of his empire.
