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Meeting of the Estates General
Meeting that was called to discuss political and economic reforms, need of taxes. Each estate had a vote. -
National Assembly
3rd Estate declared that it was the truly government of France -
Storming the Bastille
People from Paris and soldiers attacked the fortress-prison, symbol of the Absolute MOnarchy -
Storming the Bastille
People from Paris and soldiers attacked the fortress-prison, symbol of the Ancient Regime -
Great Fear
A wave of senseless panic that spread through France after the storming of the Bastille. -
Women March on Versailles
Angry Parisian women stormed Versailles demanding end of food shortage and the royal family would return to Paris. -
Execution of the King
After being put on trial the king is sentenced to death. He is executed by the guillotine on January 21, 1793. -
Reign of Terror
Thousands of people are sentenced to death by execution that is caused by conflict between two political parties the Jacobins, and the Girondins. The leader of the Jacobins, Maximilien arises as a new leader of the Revolution. -
Execution of the Queen
This was the day that Marie Antoinette was executed by the guillotine. She was the first execution after the Reign of Terror started. -
Execution of Robespierre
Maximilien Robespierre, leader of the Jacobins, is executed and the power of the Jacobins fall with him. The Girondins gain more power as a result. -
The Directory
French revolutionary government from 1795 to 1799. -
The Consulate
Coup of Brumaire Napoleon overthrows the Directory.
Napoleon elected First Consul of the Consulate. -
The Civil Code
Introduction of the Civil Code (also known as Napoleon Code). -
Napoleon, Emperor of France
Napoleon crowns himself Emperor in Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris -
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Invasion of Spain
Spanish people rise up against France. Often referred to as Dos de Mayo Uprising.
May 3: Napoleon's soldiers retaliate for uprising by brutally executing Spanish citizens (famously depicted in Goya's The Third of May 1808) -
Napoleon marries Marie Louise of Austria by proxy in Vienna.
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Napoleon in Moscow
Grand Army enters Moscow to find the city abandoned and set aflame by the inhabitants; retreating in the midst of a frigid winter, the army suffers devastating losses -
Grande Armée expelled from Russia.
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Battle of Waterloo
Defeated in the Battle of Waterloo by the British and Prussians, led by Wellington and Blucher -
Napoleon is sent to Santa Helena
After being defeated in Waterloo, Napoleon Bonaparte went to exile.
