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Estates-General of 1789
This was the first meeting of the French estate representatives since 1614. The meeting was caused by the amount of debt that Louis XVI was in due to unecessary spending of money. He proposed a new tax law in this metting.
This meeting, and the vote that passed with it, was the first step to the actual revolution. The Third Estate was now the National Assembly, and was able to pass laws and reforms. -
Battle of Bastille
A mob searching for gunpowder and arms stormed Bastille, a prison, and overwhelmed the guards. They overtook the prison, and killed around 100 guards, later putting their heads on pikes and walking around. This was caused by the Tennis Court Oath, which was created by the Third Estate delegates, saying they wouldn't leave their meeting room until a new constitution was in place.
This is now a symbolic event from the French revolution. Every July 14th, is a holiday called Bastille Day. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
The National Assembly adopted this declaratio in August of 1789. Resembling the Declaration of Independence, it stated that “men are born and remain free and equal in rights.” It promised rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and equal justice.
This event is a huge step in the revolution. The National Assembly made their first big leap by proposing this, even though it did not include woman. -
National Convention
King Louis XVI and his wife were sentenced to prison after a mob attacked Tuileries Palace. This caused the Legeslative Assembly to be powerless, so they voted themselves out of power. The National Convention was thus created.
This is important because if the Legeslative Assembly had never voted out, then the whole revolution would have been much different, and more in control by the king. -
Execution of Louis XVI
Louis XVI was accused for treason by the Convention, and was sentenced guilty. Both he and his wife were sent to the guillotine. People from outside countries were scared that their country would perform similar actions.
This is importsnt to the revolution because Louis XVI was an important part of France's leadership and government, and with him dead, the country would unruled. -
Reign of Terror
When Robespierre declared terror "the order of the day", the Reign of terror began. This was two years of slaughtering of enemies of the French. It eneded with the execution of Robespierre.
This was an extremely importnant part of the French Revolution because it served as a time period of war and fighting, with many deaths as a result. -
Vendémiaire
A battle between the French Revolutionary troops and Royalists in the Paris streets.The Convention was in serious danger. However the defeat of the Royalists made the the threat of the Convention go away.
This was extremely important for Napolean because he advanced in rank and his career, and was a huge turning point for him. -
Battle of Pyramids
Battle fought between local forces and Napoleon. Napolean put forth his diagonal square plan with great sucess. occured in France's Egyptian Campaign.
Important because Napoleon successfully used a nrew military strategy, and put another victory under his belt. -
Napoleon Overthrows Directory
By using trickery, Napoleon forcefully overthrowed the Directory. He then replaced it with the Consukate. Thid method is called coup d'etat.
By now Napoleon has completely shown his power and that he can overthrow almost anything that stands in his way. -
Emperor Napoleon
In front of the Pope, Napoleon crwons himself emperor. By crowning himself, he is metaphorically saying that he is of higher power than the pope. He claims to have stolen the crown from the pope's hands, which was disrespectful.
This is a huge point in the revolution, for a revolutionary person is now emperor, and it shows us how cocky he is.
