French Revolution and Napoleon

  • King Louis XVI calls the Estates General

    King Louis XVI calls the Estates General
    King Louis XVI called the Estates General because France was in a financial crisis, and he needed the Estates General to approve new taxes and monetary reforms. This is closely related to the Storming of the Bastille and the Women's March on Versailles because the peasants could not survive with the taxes levied onto them.
  • First and Second Estates join the Third Estate in the newly formed National Assembly

    First and Second Estates join the Third Estate in the newly formed National Assembly
    As the Third Estate was rebelling against the monarchy, Sieyes encouraged the First and Second Estates to join them. A National Assembly would create a stronger power than the Third Estate on their own. This caused the relative success of the French Revolution because the monarchy was revolted against by the citizens as a joint force- the National Assembly.
  • he National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen

    he National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
    The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the citizen was a document outlining the human rights that should be granted to every man, regardless of class or wealth. This was the effect of the Enlightenment and the formation of the National Assembly.
  • The Great Fear in the Countryside

    The Great Fear in the Countryside
    The Great Fear was when the country citizens were afraid that the nobility would take over their land and destroy their crops. They attacked manorial houses because of their panic. This was an effect of the revolting period along with the Storming of the Bastille.
  • Tennis Court Oath

    Tennis Court Oath
    Just a few days after the formation of the National Assembly, King Louis XVI shut the Third Estate out of their typical meeting hall. They decided to meet in an indoor tennis court instead, where they made the oath that the National Assembly would not disband until a new constitution was set. This was the direct cause of the First, Second, and Third Estates banding together through and the writing of the Constitution of 1791.
  • Storming of the Bastille

    Storming of the Bastille
    The citizens were afraid that the King would arrest the National Assembly, so they stormed Paris' prison. They were looking for weapons to prepare for defense. This was the effect of King Louis XVI's denial of the National Assembly, like when he locked the Third Estate out of Versailles before the Tennis Court Oath.
  • Women's March on Versailles

    Women's March on Versailles
    The women of France marched on Versailles against severely high prices on bread. With bread being at the center of the French diet, peasants being unable to buy bread threatened their survival. The effect of this was that the monarchy lost more of its authority.
  • The Constitution of 1791 sets up a constitutional monarchy in France

    The Constitution of 1791 sets up a constitutional monarchy in France
    The Constitution of 1791 was created by the the National Assembly, and although it kept the monarchy, it gave more power to the Legislative Assembly. It outlined that active citizens could vote for electors in elections. This was an effect of the formation of the National Assembly.
  • The Legislative Assembly declares war on Austria

    The Legislative Assembly declares war on Austria
    Despite being allies, France and Austria were fighting over European lands. The Girondins, King Louis XVI's ministry, plotted a military attack on Austria. This was an effect of the National Assembly turning into the Legislative Assembly once the Constitution of 1791 was signed.
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    Robespierre's Reign of Terror

    Robespierre was a radical of the revolution. He believed that terror must be used to guarantee the success of reformation. He led public executions of anyone that was rumored to be against the revolution. This was a cause of Napoleon taking over, since the French were looking for stability after the reign of terror and economic disarray.
  • Louis XVI is executed at the guillotine

    Louis XVI is executed at the guillotine
    During this time, the revolution was ravaging. The revolutionaries declared the end of a monarchy and the beginning of a French Republic. They publicly executed Louis XVI. This was an effect of the Revolution, and a cause of the Reign of Terror, in which they used the guillotine for public executions.
  • Napoleon is defeated in Russia Battle of Trafalgar

    Napoleon is defeated in Russia Battle of Trafalgar
    During the Napoleonic Wars, Napoleon tried to extend his empire, but it caused lots of conflicts with other European powers. In the Russia Battle of Trafalgar, Napoleon lost to Britain, cementing their reputation as rulers of the sea. This was an effect of Napoleon taking over and the commencement of his empire.
  • Napoleon is defeated at Leipzig (Battle of the Nations)

    Napoleon is defeated at Leipzig (Battle of the Nations)
    Known as one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Napoleonic Wars, the Battle of the Nations was a gruesome defeat for Napoleon. In this battle, forces from Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Sweden all fought against Napoleon's army. This was a cause of France's weak state and Napoleons ultimate removal as ruler.
  • Napoleon is exiled to Elba

    Napoleon is exiled to Elba
    Napoleon abdicated the throne and was exiled to the island of Elba. This was an effect to Napoleon's defeat against Russia. He later escaped, made it back to France, and took over the power once again. This, however, was short lived.
  • Napoleon is exiled to St. Helena Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo

    Napoleon is exiled to St. Helena Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo
    Napoleon got back his power, known as the Hundred Days, until he got defeated at the Battle of Waterloo. Napoleon is abdicated from the throne a second time, and this time he is exiled to a more remote area, St. Helena. This was an effect of Napoleon escaping Elba and returning to power in France. He died after this exile.