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Excessive spending and poor harvests lead to a financial crisis in France
Starting in 1787, three bad harvests due to very hot summers led to many farmers having smaller wages, which therefore led to an increase in food prices. Also, as a result of the lack of work, some farmers were laid off. While this was happening, many nobles kept of partying and acting like nothing was happening. They excessively spent money their country did not have. This caused Louis to take actions, due to the severe financial crisis in his country. -
King Louis XVI calls the Estates General
Due to this financial crisis, Louis summoned the Estates General. He hoped to gain some help from the members of the Estates General to fix the French economy, however this Estates General only showcased how broken the system was. This sparked a backlash from the Third Estate due to their large majority of the population. They still only had one-third of the vote, while the other Estates contained two-thirds of the vote, and would usually unite against the Third Estate. -
The Tennis Court Oath
The Third Estate was tired of the rigged system of the Estates General, and broke away from the system to create the National Assembly. They were locked out of their original meeting place, and had to take an oath in a nearby indoor tennis court. This oath was to continue to assemble when necessary until a Constitutional Monarchy was established. -
The storming of the Bastille
Many citizens in Paris believed that the newly founded National Assembly would be arrested by troops forming outside of Paris. They attempted to arm themselves and were successful in doing so at the Hôtel des Invalides, however, this facility lacked gunpowder. So, they went to the Bastille to obtain some. They stormed the prison, killing De Lauany and putting his head on a pike. They found the gunpowder and were able to arm themselves. -
The Women’s March on Versailles
A march was started by a mob of angry Women over the high price of food in the center of Paris. They were joined along the way by other angry citizens, for a multitude of reasons. They marched to the Palace of Versailles to bring the King back to Paris, so he could see the horrible conditions in Paris. His residence was located outside of the city, and he was not living in the turmoil of Paris. -
The Constitution of 1791 sets up a constitutional monarchy in France
Although the king still existed, he was turned into more of a figurehead in this period. The National Assembly created a constitution, which allowed the people of the Third Estate to have a larger say in their government. -
The Legislative Assembly declares war on Austria
Many monarchies in Europe greatly frowned upon the French Revolution, as they did not want these revolutionary ideas to spread to the rest of Europe. The French Legislative assembly saw this. However, this is exactly what the Revolution's goals were, and so they declared war on Austria in an attempt to spread their Revolutionary ideas. -
Louis XVI is executed at the guillotine
Austria, and Prussia, who were still at war with France, vowed to reinstate Louis XVl as King of France when they defeated France in the French Revolutionary Wars. The Jacobin Club feared that if Louis was reinstated as King, they would be tried and executed. So, they decided to execute King Louis so he could never be reinstated as King. -
Robespierre's Reign of Terror
During this period, Robespierre and his Jacobins club got very paranoid, and established the Committee of Public Safety. This Committee tried and tested many French Citizens accused of being enemies of the Revolution. Many of these people were executed at the Guillotine, becoming the staple of the French Revolution. -
The Directory is installed
With the Reign of Terror coming to an end with Robespierre’s execution, the directory was put into place. This Directory was composed of Five Directors, which acted as the executive branch, The Council of Five Hundred, which acted as a congress, and the Council of Ancients, which acted as a judiciary branch to veto and pass laws. This government became unpopular as it used force to bring down many uprisings and protests. -
Napoleon is declared First Consul
Napoleon was named First Consul, and three years later named First Consul for life. While there were two other consuls, they were merely figureheads, and Napoleon possessed all of the real power. -
Napoleon's coup d'etat, overthrowing the Directory
Due to the unpopularity of the Directory and the growing popularity of Napoleon due to his military victory, he staged a coup d’etat of the directory and was successful. A system known as the Consulate was established. -
Napoleon is declared Emperor
Napoleon, though having absolute power in his title of First Consul for life, named himself emperor of France. In his ceremony, he placed his crown on his own head to signify the Church had no power over him. He did this in order to cement his claim as the sole Emperor of France, and be able to pass on his bloodline. -
Napoleon is exiled to Elba
After French defeat at the battle of Lipsia and the capture of Paris, Napoleon abdicated from his throne. In the treaty of Fontainebleau, he was exiled to the Island of Elba, off the coast of Sicily. -
Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo
After being in exile for almost 10 months on Elba, Napoleon sailed back to France and marched back to Paris. On the way, his former troops joined his cause due to their respect for him. Before he even reached Paris, a coalition of Austria, Prussia, the UK, and Russia fielded 150,000 men each to defeat Napoleon and declared him an outlaw. He reclaimed his title of Emperor of France. He was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo, and ultimately surrendered soon after when Paris was taken.