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Louis XVI summoned the Estates General
King Louis XVI called the Estates General to address France's financial and political crisis. The Estates General was an assembly of the clergy, nobility, and commoners. -
The “Tennis Court Oath”
The Tennis Court Oath was a pivotal event in the French Revolution that took place on June 20, 1789. It was when representatives of the Third Estate swore not to separate until a constitution was established for France.
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Jacque Necker is dismissed for a second time
Jacques Necker was dismissed for a second time from his position as Finance Minister in France primarily because he advocated for summoning the Estates-General, which was seen as too radical by the court -
The storming of the Bastille
The event occurred when a crowd of Parisians stormed the Bastille, a prison and symbol of royal authority. -
The Wives’ March (Or the Fish Ladies March to Versailles)
The Women's March on Versailles was one of the earliest and most significant events of the French Revolution. It was a momentous occasion that brought forth great surprise and was a significant example of female activism -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen is enacted
Its 17 articles, adopted between August 20 and August 26, 1789, by France’s National Assembly, served as the preamble to the Constitution of 1791. -
Civil Constitution of the Clergy enacted
It was a law passed during the French Revolution that gave the French government more control over the Catholic Church. -
Escape to Varennes
The royal family attempted to escape Paris in June 1791. The royal family was apprehended in the town of Varennes, foiling their escape attempt and giving the event its name. -
Declaration of Pillnitz
A declaration of war on France for the purpose of ending the Revolution, even though neither Austria nor Prussia was displeased by French weakness. -
France Declares War on Austria
After Austria refused to recall its troops from the French border and to back down on the perceived threat of using force, France declared war on Austria and Prussia in the spring of 1792 -
Louis XVI is executed
King Louis XVI was executed by guillotine on January 21, 1793 at the Place de la Révolution in Paris. The execution took place during the French Revolution. -
Marie Antoinette is executed
Marie Antoinette was executed by guillotine on October 16, 1793. The execution took place at the Place de la Révolution, which is now the Place de la Concorde in Paris. -
Republican calendar is adopted
It was used until 1806, when it was abolished by Napoleon I. It was also used again briefly in 1871 during the Paris Commune -
Robespierre is executed
Robespierre and a number of his followers were arrested at the Hôtel de Ville in Paris. The next day Robespierre and 21 of his followers were taken to the Place de la Révolution (now the Place de la Concorde), where they were executed by guillotine before a cheering crowd. -
Napoleon leads a successful coup d’ etat against the Directory
effectively seizing power and becoming the First Consul of France, marking a significant turning point in the French Revolution; this event essentially ended the Directory regime and paved the way for Napoleon's rise to empire. -
Napoleon crowned himself emperor of France
Napoleon broke with tradition by crowning himself instead of being anointed by an archbishop -
Battle of Austerlitz
The Battle of Austerlitz was a major victory for Napoleon Bonaparte in 1805. It took place in Moravia, which is now the Czech Republic. -
Napoleon invades Russia
Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Russia on June 24, 1812, with the goal of forcing Russia to comply with a blockade of the United Kingdom. The invasion, also known as the Russian campaign, was a disaster for Napoleon. -
Congress of Vienna first meets
The Congress of Vienna began in May 1814, when victorious nations agreed to meet in Vienna to address the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars. -
Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo
marking the end of his reign as Emperor of France and the Napoleonic Wars; he was defeated by a coalition led by the Duke of Wellington and Prussian forces under Blücher.