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Estates General called by King Louis XVI
King Louis XVI called the Estates general, because France was having financial difficulties, it was the first time the Estates General had been called since 1614.This was the spark of the French Revolution. -
The Great Fear
The Great Fear was a period of panic among the peasants because of the rumor of an aristocratic conspiracy by the king. -
Tennis Court Oath
The Tennis Court Oath declared to "not to separate and to reassemble wherever circumstances require, until the constitution of the kingdom is established." -
Bastille
The medieval fortress in Paris was stormed by an armed mob of Parisians at the beginning of the French Revolution. This storming was a symbol of despotism of the ruling of the monarchy. -
Declaration of the rights of man and the citizen
The assembly adopted this bill that defined the rights and freedom of the people during the French revolution. This bill reflected the Bill of rights that was in place in the United States. It gave the people freedom to express themselves and their ideas without punishment. -
The Women's March on Versailles
The women's march on Versailles was one of the earliest and most significant events during the French Revolution. Women marched in Paris rioting over the high price and scarcity of bread. -
Constitution of 1791
Passed by the National Assembly during the French Revolution, this Constitution retained the monarchy. The franchise was restricted to active citizens who paid a minimal sum of taxes. -
War on Austria
Reactionaries and the monarchy both wanted war because they believed that the new government would be easily defeated by foreign powers. They also declared war because they believed going to war would unify the country. -
Reign of Terror
The reign of terror refers to the time period during the French Revolution after the First French Republic was established. During this period, there were multiple massacres and public executions in response to the harsh rule of Robespierre. -
Execution of Louis XVI
The National Convention convicted the king in an almost unanimous vote and condemned him to death. -
Napoleon crowned emperor
Napoleon was crowned emperor because of his popularity among the French people and his success in the military. Because of the lavish lifestyle he wanted to live, he led France into a financial crisis which then worsened due to poor harvests. -
Napoleon defeated
In the battle of Trafalgar, Napoleon was defeated by 27 British naval ships led by Admiral Lord Nelson. Despite the British victory, Trafalgar had a negligible impact on the remainder of the war of the Third Coalition. Which was defeated two months later by Napoleon and his army. -
Continental System
The continental system was the blockade designed by Napoleon to paralyze Great Britain. They did this through the destruction of British commerce. It hurt English industries and helped the Luddite protest movement. -
Battle of Leipzig
Napoleon's defeat at the battle of Leipzig resulted in the destruction of what was left of France.
