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Announcement of Estates- General
The Estates-General was called by Louis XVI after a widespread uproar throughout France from the third estate. Unfair taxation to cover excessive debt, and not enough food were the primary causes. This statement gave them hope that their problems would be solved. -
Estates-General
The Estates General sparked the entire French revolution. The three Estates met to resolve the withstanding problems of France, includign enormous debt and discontent of the poor. However, unfair voting led to more unrest. -
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MODERATE AGE
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National Assembly Formed
The Third estate, after unhappiness at the meetings, changed its name to the National Assembly because they believed they represented France better than the nobles and clergy. This led to furthur dissaproval from the other estates. -
Tennis Court Oath
After being locked out of a meeting, the National Assembly met in a nearby tennis Court and vowed to write a constitution. This was the end of absolutism in France, and republic ideas were palnted. It was the first of many steps against the Old Regime. -
Storming of the Bastille
After the King's troops were posted in Paris, the people needed weapons. In order to get them, the revolutionaries of France attacked the Bastille. This event led to raised confidence against oppression, but also fear for an Aristocratic plot. It also symbolizes the overthrow of tyranny. -
Great Fear
After acts like the Storming of the Bastille, peasants in the countryside feared an out of control riot that only would prolong their needs and suggested reforms. they viewed it as an Aristocratic Plot, and they revolted themselves. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
This document was written as a statement against the King, declaring personal freedoms like that of America. It was greatly influenced by the lack of rights prior to the revolution, and seeked change. It ultimately led to the Constitution of 1791. -
Women March To Versailles
The people of France were still starving, and bread prices were on the rise. Furious women gathered and marched to the Bastille. They forced the royal family to stay in Paris, making them official prisoners of the revolution, forced to comply with its demands. -
Pope Pius VI Denounces Revolution
As a result of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, priests were foced to accept all terms of the revolution. Catholicism was denounced in France, and monestaries and convents were closed. Thus, the Pope did not approve the ideas relatyed to the french Revoltion, which led to a counterrevolution. -
Royal Family Attempts to Escape
While being held prisoners of Europe, the royal family attempted to escape because Louis believed he could take control of France once out of the country. However, they were captured, causing a phycological catastrophe in Paris. The King was viewed as a traitor and liar. -
Constitution Completed
In 1791, the constitution that was started at the Tennis Court in Versailles was finally completed. The Declaration of the Rights of Man was the preamble, and it reflected all of the revolutions ideas. However, it still favored the upper classes of society. -
War declared on Austria
As revolutionary principals caught on, people wanted to spread them throughout Europe, declaring War on Austria. It was also proposed to unite the people againsta common enemy. However, leaders like Robespierre opposed it, and it led to loss of french territory, land, and money. -
Louis Arrested
After being a prisoner of France in the Tuileries Palace, outrages citizens broke in and took Louis to a nearby prison. This was mainly caused by the attempted escape, and the want for a republic. This was achieved because by arresting Louis, the monarchy was disregarded. The effects were catastrophic, as the ideals spun out of control. -
Abolition of Monarchy
After arresting Louis, the Monarchy was out of the government altogether, and Louis was at mercy of the revolutionaries. They were left to govern themselves, in which they lost control, causing the reign of terror. -
Execution of Louis XVI
Louis was, after months in jail, executed by the guillotine. After the republic was established, they held a trial for Louis, which was unfair, breaking the ideals of the Declaration of man. Many, unfair occurances followed this event which finished the idea of a single ruler of France. -
Reign of Terror Begins
The reign of Terror was heavily influenced by Robespierre. It was caused by growing opposition to the government, and was administered as a wayto achieve compliance. Any opposition meant death, and the effects led to more opposition of government and a fear throughout France. -
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Radical Age
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Robespierre Leads Committee of Public Safety
Robespierre was elected the head of the Committee of Public safety, greatly influencing the Reign of terror. He did not resolve any issues, and made things much worse in France. his election led to tens of thousands of deaths. -
Assassination of Marat
Marat was assassinated because of his widespread support of the reign of terror, and publication of his newspaper that promoted violence. He killed due to his views in a hope that the views would die with him. However, he was seen as a martyr, strengthing his legacy. it aslo showed that there was a large opposition to the government. -
Execution of Marie Antoinette
After Louis's execution, it was seen by the French that Marie must be killed to eliminate anything connected to the Old regime, flushing out absolutism once and for all. This worked, and if the monarchy didn't totally end with Louis, then it did with Marie. This idea led to the deaths of many nobles, too. -
Cult of Supreme Being
This anti religious view was proposed by Robespierre, and was influenced by the dissolution of the Church within France. No religion was accepted, and Notre Dame Cathedral was even renamed the Temple of Reason. It was the "official religion of the revolution" and was eventually disregarded with Robespiree's death. -
Execution of Robespierre
As Robespierre became more like a dictator, both the left and right sides didn't support him or his views. he developed enemies and abandoned his original views. he was executed, ending the reign of terror. This led to a new phase, in which the jacobins and sans-culottesunited for "a new constitution and bread." -
The Directory Takes Power
After the Thermidorian Reaction, a new government took power. They answered France's needs, and They were very stable, and ruled with a parliament. Its rule led to French military victories and general content in France. However, they were easy to overthrow, especially by a short war hero. -
Napoleon Siezes Power
As a popular hero of war, Napolean Bonaparte easily won the support of the people and was able to take power over the directory. This led to his absolute rule, bringing France back to where they started. -
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NAPOLEONIC AGE
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Napoleon Restores Catholicism
Napolean wanted to "heal Frances wounds" by reversing many chnges brought by the revolution. One main change was the expulsion of the catholic church. Napoleon brought it back successfully, and unified France, making way for a new empire. -
Napoleonic Code
Napoleon created a much needed legal system whih graetly contrasted the confusion of the revolution. He enacted the napoleonic code, which did everything from improvign commerce to protecting freedom. They greatly discluded women, and led to the encouragement of art, enriching french society. -
Continental System In Effect
After many military victories, Britain was still out of napoleon's grasp, so he tried to defeat them through econmic warfare. However, it didn't effect France or britain very much, and was nearly useless. However, France still dominated the European states, whether it had England or not. -
French Empire at Its Height
The French Empire nearly spanned the entire continent of europe, due to many strategic military victories by Napoleon. The sheer size of the French forces also added to their dominance. This led to an improved French nationalism and strength as an Empire. Their culture and ideas were spread, and they were realtively accepting to the conquered. -
Battle of Leipzig
Napoleon wanted to extend the empire even more, so he went after Russia. However, straegic warfare by the Russians led to a devastating loss of French lives, forcing them to return to Paris. This marked the beginning of Napoleon's downfall that would end the French Empire. -
Napoleon Exiled
After the devastating loss to the Russians, Napoleon was forced into exile to the Island of Elba. Napoleon II wasn't accepted, and Louis XVI's brother took the throne, restoring the monarchy in France. However, Napoleon escaped Elba. -
Battle Of Waterloo
In an attempt to regain France, Napoloen relaunched his military campaign. He was defeated at the battle of Waterloo, marking the end of the French revolution. This led to a changed Europe, and a new France.
