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The financial struggle that France found itself in due to aiding the Americans in their revolution, as well as other factors, pushed the French people to demand less taxes and cheaper bread, ultimately resulting in the calling of the Estates General. -
The monarchy realized they needed to address the financial crisis, and called the meeting of the three estates to help figure out a solution. However, at the meeting, the 3rd Estate demanded more representation, creating tensions. -
The 3rd Estate, frustrated with the amount of representation they had, forms the National Assembly, vowing not to disband until there is a new constitution. This brought about a new order, showing that the people were serious about change. -
After Louis XVI placed troops around Paris, the 3rd Estate decided to protect themselves, marching on and taking over the Bastille. This represented the beginning of the revolution, and the end of absolutism in France -
After the storming of the Bastille, many peasants and serfs feared the nobility retaliating against them, pushing them to attack nobles estates, tearing apart the feudal system. -
Revolutionary and Enlightenment ideals of equality and liberty inspire the National Assembly to establish recognition of these rights, becoming a guiding document for the future of the revolution. -
Due to high bread prices and hunger around the country, women decided to march from Paris to Versailles, killing guards in the palace and forcing Louis XVI to flee the palace, moving to Paris. -
Revolutionaries want to continue having a monarch, but reduce the power they hold, however this creates political factions and divides the Monarchy from radicals. -
The fear of other monarchies suppressing revolutionary and radical ideals resulted in a push for the expansion of French ideologies. This causes European powers to unite against the new French government, starting a long conflict.
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After Louis XVI tried to flee to Austria, he was imprisoned and accused of treason and collusion with foreign powers. This started the increased use of the guillotine, an essential tool in the next period. -
The fear of counter revolutionary plots and dissent of the people lead to a period of mass executions at the hands of the guillotine, eventually leading to Robespierre's downfall -
After the fall of Robespierre, the need for a new government arises, however it is rife with instability and corruption, making perfect conditions for a coup.
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Dissatisfaction with the instability of the Directory invites Napoleon to overthrow the government, and establish himself as First Council, ending the revolution. -
The consolidation of power and support for Napoleon encourages him to declare himself the emperor of France, officially ending the revolutionary ideals the people had fought to establish. -
After Napoleon's failed attack on Russia, causing the weakening of his army, European powers unite against him, managing to bring an end to his time as Frances Emperor. He is exiled to St Helena, while the Congress of Vienna reestablishes monarchies.