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King Louis XVI calls the Estates General
King Louis XVI called an assemble of the 3 Estates to discuss France's financial and social problems. The Third Estate eventually took over signalling the beginning of the French Revolution. -
The storming of the Bastille
The Storming of the Bastille by French Revolutionaries started the French Revolution. This event also caused the death of Louis XVI who was overthrown in the revolution. -
The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen was an important document made at the start of the Revolution. Much like the Declaration of Independence, this document outlined the ideal government, and listed rights the people of France believed had been violated under King Louis XVI's reign. -
The Constitution of 1791 sets up a constitutional monarchy in France
This Constitution was put in place by the National Assembly, and established a constitutional monarchy in France, that only lasted a year. All of the governmental power was given to a group called the Legislative Assembly whose members were elected via indirect voting. -
The Legislative Assembly declares war on Austria
The Legislative Assembly declared war on Austria as a way of unifying France in the face of war, spreading the Revolution's ideas, and preemtively striking other European Powers due to rising tensions. The failures of this war effort helped Robespierre take control of France. -
Louis XVI is executed at the guillotine
At a trial just 4 days before King Louis XVI was found guilty of high treason by the National Convention. The death of the King caused many revolutionaries to become more radical in their reforms of France. -
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Robespierre's Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror was a period of time where anyone suspected of being an enemy to the French Revolutionaries was executed. Over 17,000 people were executed via guillotine during this time. The death and destruction eventually led to Robespierre's downfall. -
The Directory is installed
A French Revolutionary Government set up after the Reign of Terror, but overthrown 4 years later by a coup de'tat led by Napoleon Bonaparte. The Directory was a prime example of a weak executive government. -
Napoleon's coup d'etat, overthrowing the Directory
General Napoleon Bonaparte stages a coup d'etat against the Directory, and establishing himself as the First Consul/ruler of France. -
Napoleon is declared First Consul
After overthrowing the Directory Napoleon Bonaparte was declared the First Consul, and became the ruler of France. In 1802 Napoleon declared himself First Consul for life, essentially making him a powerful dicatator. -
Napoleon is declared Emperor
In Notre Dame Cathedral Napoleon is crown Napoleon I, Emperor of France. Napoleon had already expanded France's borders at this time, and would proceed to take over much of Europe before being exiled. -
Napoleon is defeated by Horatio Nelson
The Battle of Trafalgar was a naval battle between the French, their Spanish allies, and the English fleets. Admiral Horatio Nelson led the English against Napoleon's Franco-Spanish forces, and acheived victory. This victory made Napoleon unable to invade Britain. -
Napoleon is defeated at Leipzig
The Battle of Leipzig, fought in Saxony, Germany, was an important battle in the Napoleonic Wars. This defeat marked the end of the French Empire east of the Rhine river. Napoleon's army was defeated by the allied forces, and forced out of Germany. -
Napoleon is exiled to Elba
Napoleon Bonaparte abdicates the throne after his forces surrender, and in the Treaty of Fontainebleau, is banished to the island of Elba. Napoleon eventually escapes the island, only for the forces he regains to be defeated at the Battle of Waterloo. -
Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo
At the beginning of June Napoleon's forces began their march on Belgium. The French Army faced against the British and Prussian Armies in Waterloo and was decisively defeated, ending the reign of Napoleon for good.