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Excessive spending and poor harvests lead to a financial crisis in France
Lots of spending in wars by previous absolutist rulers such as Louis XIV, which led to increased taxation, and the little ice age causing poor agricultural output led to a financial crisis in France. This made conditions of desperation and need in the peasantry, kindling for the French revolution. This caused other events such as the calling of the estates general to address the crises and storming of the bastille in revolution to taxation. -
The Tennis Court Oath
This was an oath taken by the newly formed national assembly to write a constitution by the end of the session. This was caused by the calling of the largely unrepresentative estates general and caused the start of core french revolutionary ideas such as the declaration of the rights of man and citizen as well as the start of radicalism and the reign of terror. -
King Louis XVI calls the Estates General
King Louis called the Estates General to address the crisis in France of financial matters and peasant mutiny. This was caused by excessive taxation, spending and failed harvests that caused unrest in the populous. The unrepresentativeness of the legislative led to the creation of the national assembly by the third estate. -
The storming of the Bastille
The Bastille was a major prison in Paris for political and civil prisoners as well as a major armoury. It was stormed because the peasants and the rebellion wanted to arm themselves at the start of the revolution. This resulted in the start of the fighting in the revolution. -
First and Second Estates join the Third Estate in the newly formed National Assembly
The first and second estates joined the national assembly to solve the national crises. This was caused by the financial failures and the formation of the national assembly by the third estate -
The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen sprang from a desire for more liberties for the people. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was written in response to the Tennis Court Oath and the need for a form of constitution. This statement said that humans were made equal and born free, and that they should consequently be granted the right to liberty, private property, person inviolability, and resistance to persecution. -
The Constitution of 1791 sets up a constitutional monarchy in France
The constitution created by the national assembly preserved the monarchy but sovereignty resided in the legislative assembly. It was caused by the tennis court oath and the calling of the estates general. This resulted in the short lived constitutional monarchy -
The Legislative Assembly declares war on Austria
The legislative assembly declared war on Austria due to aggression from European monarchies. This was caused by the creation of a constitutional monarchy in France and led to the start of the Napoleonic wars -
Louis XVI is executed at the guillotine
Louis XVI was executed due to radicalists who aimed to completely depose the monarchy. This was caused by the radicalists and robespierre and resulted in the start of the reign of terror. -
Period: to
Robespierre's Reign of Terror
This period was marked by violence and dread. Many persons were executed in Paris for being Revolutionary War foes. The government was controlled by the Committee of Public Safety, which was responsible for the murder and damage experienced during this period. This was caused by the execution of Louis XVI and radicalisms such as Robespierre. This led to the consolidation of power by napoleon in the power gap after the reign. -
Napoleon is declared First Consul
Napoleon consolidated power and declared himself first consul after the power gap left after the reign of terror. This led to the start of the napoleonic wars. -
Napoleon is declared Emperor
Napoleon was able to become Emperor as a consequence of his war achievements and public support . Despite the fact that the precedent set by previous monarchs had left France in disarray. The monarchy's desire to enjoy a luxury lifestyle necessitated extravagant spending. As a result, France was thrown into a financial crisis, which further exacerbated with the arrival of dismal crops. -
The Continental System is implemented
The continental system was Napoleon's foreign policy towards the United Kingdom. The method was developed during the Napoleonic Wars as a result of Napoleon's terrible defeat in the Battle of Trafalgar. The system included a broad ban against British commerce, which reduced British exports to the continent from 55% to 25%. -
Napoleon is defeated at Leipzig (Battle of the Nations)
Napoleon had previously suffered terrible setbacks as a result of events such as Napoleon is beaten in Russia Battle of Trafalgar, and his defeat at Leipzig proved to be fatal, as it decimated what authority was remained in France. The conflict proved to be a huge one, with an estimated 127,000 casualties. -
Napoleon is exiled to St. Helena
After suffering severe defeats at the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig and the Battle of Trafalgar in Russia, Napoleon's military backing had deteriorated, and as a result of the lack of military force, Napoleon was unable to overcome the British (yet again). Following this, Napoleon was obliged to abdicate his reign, and to eliminate the chance of his return, Napoleon was exiled.