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King Louis XVI calls the Estates General
Louis XVI summoned the Estates General because of the poor political and financial state France was in. The clergy, nobility, and commoners gathered to decide about various reforms to improve the nation, such as the power of levying taxes. Effect: The Estates General members took the Tennis Court Oath later that year after being created by King Louis XVI. -
First and Second Estates join the Third Estate in the newly formed National Assembly
The National Assembly was created by the combination of the clergy, the nobles, and the common people to represent the French estates of realm. This created a more unified and connected nation. Effect: The National Assembly created the Constitution of 1791. -
The Tennis Court Oath
The Tennis Court Oath was taken by all of the delegates at the Estates General at Versailles in order for the government to be committed to a national constitution and representative government. Cause: The Tennis Court Oath would not have been taken if the Estates General was never created by King Louis XVI in May of 1789. -
The storming of the Bastille
State prison in Paris, the Bastille, acted as a symbol for the French monarchy's abusive dictatorial rule. It was attacked by an angry and violent mob, which became one of the defining moments of the French Revolution. Effect: The early events of the Revolution, such as the storming of the Bastille led to the Great Fear that struck France's countryside during the summer of 1789. -
The Great Fear in the countryside
During the summer of 1789, panic swept the French countryside as the Revolution began to develop. The peasants and townspeople attacked aristocrat houses because they feared the upper classes were plotting against them. Effect: The Great Fear and the power it put into the lower classes' hands led to the ability of the people to gain control of the French government during the Reign of Terror. -
The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
The Constitutional Assembly created the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen in order to set precedent for how people should be treated by the government. It was made by the Estates General when they were creating a new Constitution. Cause: The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen was created by the National Assembly that originated in 1789. -
The Women’s March on Versailles
One of the first and most significant events of the French Revolution was the Women's March on Versailles, which consisted of women in Paris marketplaces rioting over the overpricing of bread. Effect: The Women's March on Versailles and other early Revolutionary events caused the National Assembly to adopt the Constitution of 1791. -
The Constitution of 1791 sets up a constitutional monarchy in France
The National Assembly created the Constitution of 1791 to institute a constitutional monarchy within France. The Legislative Assembly gained the majority of the nation's power, despite the monarchy still existing under the document. Cause: The Constitution of 1791 was caused by the creation of the National Assembly in 1789, as it would not exist without the Assembly. -
The Legislative Assembly declares war on Austria
The French Legislative Assembly declared war on Austria in 1792, causing the French Revolutionary Wars to begin by launching the War of First Coalition. Effect: The declaration of War against Austria began the French Revolutionary Wars, which ultimately led to the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815. -
Louis XVI is executed at the guillotine
French King Louis XVI was executed by way of the guillotine in 1793 after he was brought to trial for treason. A secret cupboard of his was discovered that proved he was corresponding with foreign powers. Cause: The execution of King Louis XVI was caused by the storming of the Bastille and other early Revolutionary events that put power and desire for reform into the hearts of the people. -
Robespierre's Reign of Terror (1793-1794)
The Reign of Terror occurred between September 5, 1793, and July 27, 1794 and consisted of a committee maintaining dictatorial control over the French government in the absence of a monarchy. The committee systematically executed nearly 17,000 perceived enemies of the Revolution. Cause: Louis XVI's treason and subsequent execution in 1793 caused the committee to take control of the French Government. -
Napoleon is defeated by Horatio Nelson
Nelson defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The British Royal Navy beat the combined naval fleets of France and Spain during the War of the Third Coalition. Cause: Napoleon eventually came into power due to the execution of Louis XVI and then the violence of the committee that led France during the Reign of Terror. -
The Continental System is implemented
Napoleon used the Continental System to economically harm Great Britain, as it was a blockade that prevented neutrals and French allies from trading or interacting with the British financially. The blockade was proclaimed by the decrees of Berlin and Milan. Cause: Napoleon's defeat by Nelson caused him to have to take more drastic measures to weaken Great Britain, such as implementing the Continental System. -
Napoleon is defeated at Leipzig (Battle of the Nations)
The Battle at Leipzig, also known as the Battle of the Nations, occurred in 1813 and resulted in the defeat of Napoleon and the French army, causing French power in Germany and Poland to be destroyed. Effect: France's decline in military strength from the Battle of Nations caused their ultimate defeat at Waterloo in the short future. -
Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo
The Battle of Waterloo was the final battle and defeat of emperor Napoleon. Four days following the devastating conflict, Napoleon was abdicated as ruler of France and was exiled to St. Helena. Cause: The defeats of France in the Battle of Trafalgar and the Battle of the Nations caused the military to be weakened and ultimately defeated at the Battle of Waterloo.