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Estates General Meeting – May - June 1789
King Louis XVI called for a meeting of representatives from each of the classes of the ancien regime. A meeting of such import had not been called for over 170 years, but times were desperate. -
National Assembly Formed – June 1789
The Third Estate representatives walked out of the Estates General meeting since their double representation didn't actually mean anything. They then formed their own organization called the National Assembly. -
Tennis Court Oath declared - June 1789
Representatives of the Third Estate were locked out of the Estates General meeting, so they gathered in an indoor tennis court and pledged to keep pushing for a new constitution. -
Storming of the Bastille – July 14, 1789
The Bastille was seen as a bastion of royal authority and thus was a symbol of oppression and corruption within the french government. Members of the revolt stormed the prison in search of gunpowder, weapons and also freeing prisoners. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man Written – August 1789
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was a document that outlined the fundamental rules and rights that a Citizen of the French state was entitled to. -
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Legislative Assembly makes laws in France – 1791-1792
The Legislative assembly establishes constitution of 1791. King Louis XVI is head of constitutional monarchy. -
Execution of King Louis XVI – Jan 1793
King Louis XVI was executed via guillotine -
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Committee of Public Safety governs France – April 1793-1795
Robespierre and 12 of his closest allies form an oligarchy and take charge of the government. -
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The Reign of Terror – Sept 1793-July 1794
Robespierre spearheads the mass executions of enemies of the state. Anybody harboring views that juxtaposed those of the radicals were put to death. -
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Dechristianization – Sept 1793-July 1794
Christianity is outlawed and a push to rid France of the church is started. Religious tolerance and the views of Voltaire echoed. -
Execution of Maximilien Robespierre – July 1794
Robespierre was executed without trial via guillotine, as were the members of the CPS. -
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The Directory controls France – 1795-1799
A new inter-rim government holds France together in the absence of the CPS and Robespierre. -
Napoleon takes over in a coup d’etat – Nov 1799
Napoleon's military coup is welcomed by the majority of the citizens because it meant that a strong central government would finally be established. -
Napoleon signs Concordat with Catholic Church - 1801
Napoleon acknowledges the Church's presence within France, and give back some of its influence while still revoking it's power in state affairs. -
Napoleon creates the Napoleonic Code - 1804
Napoleon enacts a strict set of laws that causes citizens to forfeit some rights, but at the same time provides a solid legal foundation. -
Napoleon crowns himself emperor of France – Dec 1804
Napoleon crowned himself emperor in the presence of the pope. -
Napoleon dies after he is banished to island of St. Helena – May 1821
Napoleon is exiled the St. Helena after Waterloo, and he dies on the island.
