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Louis the XIV Calls on the Estates General
France was in incredible debt from many things including the seven year war, the taxation of the third estate, and the purchases when building the palace of Versailles. Due to all this debt Louis the XIV called the estates general for help with the economic problems. When the meeting was called there was a voting controversy. There was one vote per estate, and the clergy and nobility would always join together to out vote the third estate. -
Parisians Storm the Bastille
Financially, the third estate struggled, as they were the only estate paying taxes. Higher classes did not pay taxes which did not support the financial crisis of France. With all the financial problems falling onto the third estates back it is reasonable that they feel oppressed. Due to the feeling of oppression, they wanted to revolt. They needed to revolt to show that they had power, that they needed to be heard, therefor explaining the importance of the Storming of the Bastille, -
Writing of the Declaration of the Rights of Men
This document adopted by the National Assembly was based on enlightenment ideas. This outlined the basic freedoms held by all, and asserted the sovereignty of the people. -
Establishment of the New Constitution
Even with the establishment of the new constitution lower classes were still not satisfied. So unsatisfied that starving women and peasants marched on Versailles, which later forced Louis the XVI to come back. -
Execution of the King and Queen/ Beginning of the Reign of Terror
The execution of the king and queen happened on January 17,1793. They were convicted of treason, which in this time was the highest crime any one especially a king or queen could commit. After their deaths, the Reign of Terror began. The Reign of Terror lasted over a year and was filled with many executions and ending with the death of Robespierre. -
Napoleon Overthrows the Directory
Napoleon launched a Coup D'état where in a state of stroke in a country, Napoleon came in and took power against the directory and became an emperor after winning a yes or no vote of the people. -
Napoleon Builds an Empire
Napoleon was an impressive military leader as he had a string of victories. The people loved him because of that. -
Napoleon Invades Russia
Russia was Napoleon's costliest defeat. He went in with over 400,000 troops and came back with 10,000. -
The Congress of Vienna Meets
The Concert of Vienna was a series of international meeting to secure peace across Europe. This established a principle of maintaining a balance of power. -
Napoleon Defeated at Waterloo
Napoleon attacked the British general Wellington at Waterloo. This was a horrible mistake because it was Napoleon's final defeat. After this he was sent away and later died.