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Publication of the Social Contract by Rousseau
Rousseau argues that laws are binding only when they are supported by the general will of the people. His famous idea, 'man is born free, but he is everywhere in chains' challenged the traditional order of society. -
Louis XVI is crowned
Louis Auguste became Louis XVI upon the death of his grandfather, Louis XV. Only 20 years old at the time, Louis XVI was immature and lacked self-confidence -
The declaration of Independence
It was an official act taken by all 13 American colonies in declaring independence from British rule. People in the colonies were unhappy that they did not have a say in their government and still had to pay taxes. ... A group of men came together in the summer of 1776 to find ways to become independent from Great Britain. -
Napoleon-Military career
He fought more than 70 battles, losing only 8. Was one of the finest commanders in the world. -
Napoleon- Education
Napoleon attended school in mainland France, where he learned the French language, and went on to graduate from a French military academy. -
Formation of the National Assembly
It represented the common people of France and demanded that the king make economic reforms to insure that the people had food to eat. -
Tennis Court Oath
The Tennis Court Oath was a pledge that was signed in the early days of the French Revolution and was an important revolutionary act that displayed the belief that political authority came from the nation's people and not from the monarchy. -
Storming of the Bastille
A state prison on the east side of Paris, known as the Bastille, was attacked by an angry and aggressive mob. The prison had become a symbol of the monarchy's dictatorial rule, and the event became one of the defining moments in the Revolution that followed. -
Women’s March on Versailles
A crowd of women demanding bread for their families gathered other discontented Parisians, including some men, and marched toward Versailles, arriving soaking wet from the rain. The King agreed to meet with some of the women and promised to distribute all the bread in Versailles to the crowd. -
Formation of the National Convention
The formal purpose of such a convention is to select the party's nominee for President, as well as to adopt a statement of party principles and goals known as the platform and adopt the rules for the party's activities, including the presidential nominating process for the next election cycle. -
Execution of Louis XVI
One day after being convicted of conspiracy with foreign powers and sentenced to death by the French National Convention, King Louis XVI is executed by guillotine in the Place de la Revolution in Paris -
The formation of the Committee of Public Safety
Robespierre was elected to the Committee of Public Safety, which was formed in April to protect France against its enemies, foreign and domestic, and to oversee the government. Under his leadership, the committee came to exercise virtual dictatorial control over the French government -
Execution of Robespierre
he shot himself in the head but only succeeded in wounding his jaw. Shortly thereafter, troops of the National Convention attacked the Hotel de Ville and seized Robespierre and his allies. Then he was executed and the Reign of Terror ended. -
Napoleon
As emperor, he led the French Armies in the Napoleonic Wars. He is widely regarded as a military genius -
Napoleon became emperor
Napoleon proclaimed himself emperor. He placed the crown upon his head. -
End of Napoleon's reign
The Battle of Waterloo, in which Napoleon's forces were defeated by the British and Prussians, marked the end of his reign and of France's domination in Europe. -
Napoleon's death
He died at the age of 51. People say it was because of stomach cancer.
