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Start of the French financial Crisis
A long history of French governmental overspending, especially overseas, led to a 5-year financial crisis in France, that came to a close in 1788. This financial crisis led to the current king Louis XVI being forced to summon the Estates-General. -------------- (n.d.). Retrieved December 20, 2020, from https://www.historywiz.com/financialcrisis.htm -
King Louis XVI calls the Estates-General
Caused by the longstanding French financial crisis, King Louis was forced to call the Estates-General to discuss and consider options for how to repair the French economy and the current problems. This distress soon led to the Third Estate to want increased representation. ------------- Estates General of 1789. (2020, December 15). Retrieved December 20, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estates_General_of_1789 -
The French National Assembly is formed
As the Estates-General continued and the Third Estate slowly gained power, they came together to form the National Assembly, the first revolutionary government of the French Revolution. As the revolution gained increased support, major acts of rebellion started to occur. ---------- National Assembly of the French Revolution. (n.d.). Retrieved December 20, 2020, from https://www.historycrunch.com/national-assembly-of-the-french-revolution.html -
Start of the Great Fear
Caused by a massive increase in the forming of the revolution, The Great Fear was the period of time in which the French common people were overly concerned about the possibilities of consequence should the rebellion fail, causing panic and frantic action. Rebellion leaders needed to take action, and did so soon by attempting to guarantee the people new rights. ------------ The Great Fear. (2019, October 28). Retrieved December 20, 2020, from https://alphahistory.com/frenchrevolution/great-fear/ -
The Storming of the Bastille
As tensions increased and rebellion began to pick up speed, more acts like this began to occur. It was here where the Bastille, a historical symbol of the rule of the monarchy, was attacked and destroyed by the people. But with this revolution came a fear that it would be squandered without resolution / with punishment, also known as The Great Fear. ------------ Storming of the Bastille. (2020, December 18). Retrieved December 20, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storming_of_the_Bastille -
The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
As panic ensued in members of the French Rebellion, The National Assembly took decisive steps in securing rights for the French people by adopting this Declaration and its many freedoms. This strong push for a written constitution led to the beginning of the first French Constitutional Monarchy. ----------- Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. (2020, December 14). Retrieved December 20, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_the_Rights_of_Man_and_of_the_Citizen -
France becomes a Constitutional Monarchy
The official French Absolute Monarchy finally falls with the first French Constitution, establishing the nation as a constitutional monarchy. With this government now full swing, it became criminal for old high-level officials to continue to deny the new state its power, leading to Louis XVI's execution. ---------- The Constitution of 1791. (n.d.). Retrieved December 20, 2020, from https://frenchrevozeal.weebly.com/the-constitution-of-1791.html -
Start of Robespierre's Reign of Terror
Following the public murder of King Louis XVI, Robespierre and his men went on a vicious spree of killing any of those who would oppose the new government and any acts of treason within the community. This environment was getting to be way too much for France to handle, and it wasn't long before the government had to install the French Directory to recover. ---------- Reign of Terror. (n.d.). Retrieved December 20, 2020, from https://www.britannica.com/event/Reign-of-Terror -
Execution of Louis XVI
King Louis XVI was not at all happy nor conforming to the new Constitutional Monarchy of France, still trying to hold on to the old throne. For this, he was considered guilty of treason, and his execution came swiftly after. This wave of violence did not end, however, as the revolutionary Robespierre stepped in and continued the bloody trend. ------------- Execution of Louis XVI. (2020, December 04). Retrieved December 20, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Execution_of_Louis_XVI -
The French Directory was installed.
The Reign of Terror left France a mess, and, in order to reinstate order, the French Revolutionary Government had to install their own Directory, including a bicameral legislature, to quell major uprisings of the people and prepare for future government innovations. However, the people proved to be too powerful - and incomes Napoleon. ----------- France under the Directory. (2020, October 07). Retrieved December 20, 2020, from https://alphahistory.com/frenchrevolution/france-under-the-directory/ -
Napoleon overthrows the Directory
It wasn't even 5 years that the Revolution was able to continue before Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew the Directory with his men, making way for his own total rule in the future. The Coup lasted only two days, and was incredibly effective. It wasn't long before he assumed total control over the now-old Revolutionary government, and started his long journey of uniting Europe. -
Napoleon crowns himself Emperor
Napoleon continued to rally support after his overtaking of the French government, and eventually gained enough influence and power to crown himself the Emperor of France, completing his first step in what he hoped to eventually be European and even World domination. The next step? Using France as a mere vessel to European unity amongst all of its nations. -
The Continental System is implemented.
As his influence and power grew, it became clear rather fast that there would be nations who would stand in the way with a firm fist. In particular, the Continental System was implemented to destroy the British economy and block off all of its trade by destroying royal ships and preventing commerce from any of France's allies, hoping that eventually, the United Kingdom would bow at its will. And while it eventually backfired, Napoleon's hunger did not cease for more confrontation. -
Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo.
Skipping to after the strong reign of Napoleon Bonaparte in which most of Europe, at one point or another, was conquered by, it had to come to an end. Napoleon's outreach became too much, and, even after being defeated and exiled the first time, his comeback rule finally fell for good at the Battle of Waterloo in Belgium. It was at this point where he, although was not killed in the field of battle, suffered yet another yet worse exile, and this time for good. -
Napoleon is exiled to St. Helena
After being defeated at the Battle of Waterloo, there was only one way to make sure that Napoleon, although respected, did not try yet again to rule as an Emporer in a Nation that knew what happened when Nationalism grew out of control. He was exiled to the island of Saint Helena, and, some years later, died on this island where his body was then retrieved and held at a museum as a memorial of him and his influence, albeit controversial, on the Continent.
