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The Tennis Court Oath
Members of the Third Estate swore not to separate until a new constitution was created, despite being locked out of the Estates-General. ; Cause and effect: The Third Estate’s exclusion from the Estates General and their desire for a new constitution strengthened revolutionary resolve and marked the end of absolute monarchy. -
The Storming of the Bastille
A mob of Parisians stormed the Bastille prison, symbolizing the uprising against royal oppression. ; Cause and effect: Widespread frustration over food shortages and the monarchy's repression sparked the French Revolution, which led to the collapse of royal authority and the rise of revolutionary ideals. -
The Great Fear in the Countryside
Peasants in rural France, fearing aristocratic plots to suppress the Revolution, revolted against feudal landlords. ; Cause and effect: Because of rumors of a counter-revolutionary conspiracy, the peasant revolts forced the National Assembly to address feudal privileges and further radicalized the Revolution. -
The National Assembly Adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
The National Assembly passed a declaration asserting universal rights, including liberty, equality, and fraternity. ; Cause and effect: The influence of Enlightenment ideas and demands for equality in the declaration caused it to be inspiration for modern human rights and a new social order based on equality. -
King Louis XVI Calls the Estates General
King Louis XVI convened the Estates General to address France's financial crisis. ; Cause and effect: The dire economic situation and widespread dissatisfaction with royal rule led to the formation of the National Assembly which sparked the French Revolution. -
The Women's March on Versailles
Thousands of women marched to Versailles demanding bread and to bring the king and queen back to Paris. ; Cause and effect: Food shortages and frustration with the royal family’s indifference to the people’s suffering forced the royal family to move to Paris, bringing them under closer scrutiny and control by the revolutionaries. -
Excessive Spending and Poor Harvests Lead to a Financial Crisis in France
France’s involvement in costly wars and poor harvests created severe economic hardship. ; Cause and effect: Over spending from royals and poor harvests deepened the economic crisis and triggered the calling of the Estates General, which fueled revolutionary sentiment. -
The Constitution of 1791 Sets Up a Constitutional Monarchy in France
The National Assembly established a constitutional monarchy, limiting the king’s power and creating a legislative body. ; Cause and effect: The desire to limit the king's power while preserving the monarchy established a constitutional monarchy but failed to provide lasting stability. -
Robespierre’s Reign of Terror (1793-1794)
A period of extreme political repression during which thousands of perceived enemies of the Revolution were executed. ; Cause and effect: Because of radical revolutionaries that were led by Robespierre and sought to protect the revolution from internal and external threats, thousands were executed which deepened social divisions and led to the eventual fall of Robespierre. -
Louis XVI Is Executed at the Guillotine
King Louis XVI was executed after being found guilty of treason by the National Convention. ; Cause and effect: The king's perceived betrayal and attempts to escape caused the end of the monarchy and the establishment of the First French Republic. -
The Directory is Installed
The Directory became the new government of France, replacing the National Convention. ; Cause and effect: The failure of the National Convention to stabilize France after the Terror created a corrupt, ineffective government that eventually led to Napoleon’s rise. -
Napoleon’s Coup d’Etat, Overthrowing the Directory
Napoleon staged a coup against the unstable Directory, leading to his rise as First Consul. ; Cause and effect: Political instability and corruption within the Directory ended the revolutionary government and brought Napoleon to power as First Consul. -
Napoleon Is Declared Emperor
Napoleon Bonaparte declared himself Emperor of France, consolidating his power after a decade of military success. ; Cause and effect: Napoleon's consolidation of power following his military successes shifted France from a republic to an empire, solidifying Napoleon's authoritarian rule. -
The Continental System is Implemented
Napoleon established a blockade against Britain, prohibiting European nations from trading with the British. ; Cause and effect: Napoleon's desire to weaken Britain through economic blockade caused economic hardship across Europe, leading to widespread resentment and eventual rebellion. -
Napoleon Is Exiled to Elba
After military defeats and internal opposition, Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba. ; Cause and effect: Military defeats and growing opposition both within France and Europe marked Napoleon's first fall from power, leading to the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy.