-
Louis XVI calls the Estates General
This was a meeting of the three estates; clergy, nobility, and commons to deal with financial and societal crises. It ended when the third estate formed into a National Assembly. who had the power to decide on the levying of new taxes and to undertake reforms in the country. This marked the start to the revolution. -
Tennis Court Oath
The tennis court oath was a key moment that set of the French Revolution. On this day the Teenis Court oath was taken. This is where the men of the national assembly swore an oath never to stop meeting until a constitution had been made. This was important to the revolution because it was the first time French citizens stood in opposition to Lous XVI -
Parisians storming the Bastille
Hundreds of Parisians Stormed the Bastille, or the state prison. They seized 250 barrels of gunpowder and freed its prisoners. This signaled the start of the revolution. Then, it was established based on liberty, equality, and fraternity ideals. -
Writing of the Declaration of the Rights of Men
It was ratified by Louis XVI under pressure from the assembly. After many failed attempts of writing this, this date was the only one to survive. This is important to the French Revolution because it granted civil rights to commoners. It was a core statement of the values of the French Revolution -
March on Versailles
This March was a riot that took place during the first stage of the French Revolution. They complained over the high prices and little availability of bread. The palace of Versailles was found as the heart of the french revolution. This event forced the royals to return to Paris. -
Establishment of the New French Constitution
This created a new structure for the government of France. It retained the monarchy, but sovereignty resided in the legislative assembly. It was important to the French Revolution because it limited the powers of the monarchy of France. It also delegated legislative powers to an elected National assembly. -
Execution of the King
The French king was found guilty of treason. he was also unwilling to cede his royal power to the Revolutionary government. This is important because it challenged the divine rights of kings. His execution led to a European-wide war that saw the rise and fall of Napoleon. -
Reign of Terror
The percived threats of the Revolution withiin the outside of France. This caused A series of massacres and numerous public executions took place. This was important to the French revolution because it institution the conscripted army. This was the same army the saved French from invasion. -
Execution of the Queen
Just eight months after her husband, the queen was tried herself. She was also convicted by the convention for treason to the principles of the revolution. This was important because The royal family had been compelled to leave Versailles in 1789 and live in captivity in Paris. -
Napoleon overthrows the directory
This was an unlawful seizure that overthrew the system of government under the Directory in France. This made way for the despotism of Napoleon. This was important because it protected the positions of those who had supported the revolution. Some are lead to belive this caused the end of the Revolution. -
Napoleon builds an Empire
Napoleon built his empires through conquest of territories belonging to the empires. Napoleon greatly assisted in defeating the First Coalition. This is important because Napoleon wanted to control the rest of Europe. He was also able to defeat French enemies during the revolution -
King Louis XVIII Begins his Reign
King Louis XVIII ruled a constitutional monarchy. This states he was not the main leader of the government. However, he did have some influence over politics. He was important because saw France's first experiment in parliamentary government since the Revolution. -
Napoleon invades Russia
The invasion lasted 6 months which caused the Grand Armee to lose more than 300,00 Men. This also resulted in Napoleon's first exile. This is important because it surved as a major turning point in Europan history. It led to the fall of Napoleon and his empire -
The congress of Vienna Meets
In the Congress of Vienna, they established new borders. They also established that the main five countries should get new territories. This was important because they had restored the territorial order that had existed before the Napoleon conquest. It was also an attempt to forge a peaceful balance of power in Europe. -
The Coalition Occupies Paris
The French Surrendered on March 31st, which concluded the war. It also forced the emperor of Napoleon to abdicate. This was important because it exiled Napoleon to the island of Elba. It also restored the Bourbon monarchy with Louis XVIII. -
Napoleon Defeated at Waterloo
The Battle of Waterloo was fought on 18 June 1815 between Napoleon's French Army and a coalition led by the Duke of Wellington. After this war, his supporters in France turned on him. it was important because It needed to conclude a war that had raged for 23 years and ended French attempts to dominate Europe. This also destroyed Napoleon's imperial power forever.