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The French Revolution and Napoleon Bonaparte
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King Louis XVI calls the Estate General
For over two centuries the French monarch has failed to call forth the Estates General. The Estates General was a legislative body comprised of representatives from each estate (social level). It was first called forth to address the financial issues occurring in France. But, throughout the event the Third Estate recognized that they had little to no power and wanted to change this. Therefore, they would reconviene in a private place known as the Tennis Court Oath. -
First and Second Estates join the Third Estate in the newly formed National Assembly
After Louis XVI called forth the Estates General the Third Estate demanded just treatment because their voice wasn’t being heard. The King was against the National Assembly and even tried to keep them from meeting.That is why they got sent to the tennis court. Due to the fact that the king was so concerned with power he forced the other two estates to join the National Assembly so it appeared that he controlled it. Here is where they began to reform the government and draft and constitution. -
The Tennis Court Oath
After feeling demoralized during the meeting of the Estates General the First Estate reconvened on a tennis court and renamed themselves the National Assembly. While the ml arch failed to recognize them as a entity they swore to continue meeting until a just legislative body was instituted. This would launch a wave of pedant up rises leading to the French Revolution. -
Storming of Bastille
Bastille was a French fortress that was holding the king prisoner at the time. The Third Estate had been making demands that the peasant class have equal representation, since they were majority of the population. Due to fear that Louis XVI was planning an attack they raided Bastille to collect gun powered and arm themselves. This signaled the start of the French Revolution and the long war against Louis XVI and his reign. -
The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
This document was inspired by the mistreatment of the Third Estate and ideas from Enlightenment thinkers. It presented freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and other important ideas. It set the precedent of the treatment that French citizens should receive and was the first step toward a constitution. -
The Women’s March on Versailles
The Women’s March was the effect of Hugh bread prices and large spread famine in the countryside. Therefore, women led a march to the Palace of Versailles where the monarch lived. One of their demands was that he returned to France which he did. This forced the monarchy to address the issues and fueled the power for the people to continue this fight. -
The Constitution of 1791 sets up a constitutional monarchy in France
With the execution of Louis XVI came a new form of French government. No longer would the absolute way continue with this new constitution. Now there was a constitutional monarchy that gave limited power to the king or queen with checks from the National Assembly, the legislative body. It only lasted a year because of the radical ideas from Robespierre. -
Robespierre's Reign of Terror
The poor social and economic condition of the nation after the war. A new group emerged called the Jacobins and named it the “Committee or Public Safety.” They promoted the ideas of the revolution but their tactics often aligned with fear and force. Years of bloodshed eventually led to their fall. -
The Directory is installed
The fall of Robespierre and his reign of terror led to the establishment of the directory. It obtained it’s name from the executive branch called the “Five Directors.” It’s main source of authority was its brute, military power. They tried to address the issues occurring in France but many were left unhappy and as a result uprising arose. Through this time a new figure emerged, Napoleon Bonaparte began to rise in power. -
Overthrowing the Directory
The Directory was one of the forms of government that France had after the Revolution. They were ultimately overthrown by Napoleon on a coup d'etat. He then established the French Consulate. -
Napoleon is defeated in Battle of Trafalgar
This was the biggest naval defeat on the Spanish army. British leader Nelson wiped out the Spanish fleet after they tried to launch an attack on Great Britain. The effect of this event was the joining of the ally powers to take down Napoleon. -
The Continental System is implemented
After a series of decrees in Berlin a blockade was put on Great Britain to weaken their economy. Napoleon was scared of thier overseas presence and viewed them as an enemy again his plan to unite the European continent. However, Great Britain responded by joining an ally system that would lead to the fall of Napoleon Ana his empire. -
Spanish nationalists overthrow Napoleon
Napoleon instituted his brother as the King of Spain the Nationalists were angered by this. They supported their form king Ferdinand VII and their loyalty stayed with him. The Peninsula War removed the French army from Spanish territory and initiated the sequence of defeats for Bonaparte. -
Napoleon is exiled to Elba
After the defeat at Waterloo Napoleon abdicated the throne for the second time and was exiled to St. Helena. He spent the rest of his days out here. After he left the throne the French reinstated the Bourbon Dynasty. -
Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo
The final battle of the Napoleonic Wars took place in Belgium. The failure of Napoleon as a captain and the strength of the British army led to his defeat. This would mark the end of his reign and the final abdication of the throne. -
Sources
McLean, John. “History of Western Civilization II.” Establishment of the National Assembly | History of Western Civilization II, courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-worldhistory2/chapter/establishment-of-the-national-assembly/.
McLean, John. “History of Western Civilization II.” Establishment of the National Assembly | History of Western Civilization II, courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-worldhistory2/chapter/establishment-of-the-national-assembly/.
