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Louis XVI Crowned King of France
Louis Auguste became Louis XVI, with the death of his grandfather Louis XV. Only 20 years old at the time, Louis XVI was immature and lacked self-confidence. He wanted to be a good king and help his subjects, but he faced enormous debt and rising resentment towards a despotic monarchy. -
American Revolution Begins
British soldiers, called lobsterbacks because of their red coats, and minutemen—the colonists' militia—exchanged gunfire at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. It was described as "the shot heard round the world," it signaled the start of the American Revolution and led to the creation of a new nation. -
Calling of the Estates-General
King Louis XVI calls a meeting of the Estates-General because he wants permission to tax the 1st and 2nd Estates. Each estate only got one vote regardless of size which was unfair representation to the 3rd Estate. -
Formation of the National Assembly
The National Assembly was created by the Third Estate when they revolted against the King. Their three main beliefs were liberty, equality, and brotherhood. -
Tennis Court Oath
The Third Estate decided to break from the Estates General and draw up their own constitution. The Tennis Court Oath was a promise agreed upon the Third Estate to not disband until they’ve established a Constitution. -
Attack on the Bastille
A state prison on the east side of Paris, known as the Bastille, was attacked by an angry and aggressive mob. The prison had become a symbol of the monarchy’s dictatorial rule, and the event became one of the defining moments in the Revolution that followed. -
French Women Force Louis XVI to Leave Versailles
Thousands of Parisians, many of them women, marched 12 miles to Versailles, the residence of Louis XVI and the location of the National Constituent Assembly. This march is often credited with forcing the royal court and family to move from the traditional seat of government in Versailles to Paris, a major turning point in the French Revolution. -
Declaration of War Against Austria
France worried that Austria would attempt to re-instate King Louis XVI on the throne and felt that they had to act to defend their new republic. Revolutionaries wanted war because they thought war would unify the country, and had a genuine desire to spread the ideas of the Revolution to all of Europe. -
National Convention is Formed
The Convention numbered 749 deputies, including businessmen, tradesmen, and many professional men. The National Convention set aside the Constitution, abolished the monarchy, and made France a republic. -
Louis XVI is Executed
King Louis XVI was convicted of conspiracy with foreign powers and sentenced to death by the French National Convention. He was executed by guillotine in the -
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Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror is the period following Louis XVI’s execution. People who were suspected of anti-revolutionary activities or of helping France’s enemies were sent to the guillotine. -
The Thermidorian Reaction
In the month of Thermidor (July) 1794, the people were fed up! Robespierre himself was executed by guillotine. -
The Directory is Formed
The Directory was the third government formed since Absolute Monarchy. The power of the Directory was placed in the hands of the upper-middle class (Bourgeoisie). -
Napoleon Takes Power
Napoleon had great success as a general and won the hearts of the French men and women. People urged him to take over since the Directory was losing control. He came to power by coup d’etat (blow to the state) which means a swift seizure of government usually by someone from within. -
Napoleon Invades Russia
Napoleon was angry that Russia had not obeyed the Continental System. Napoleon invaded Russia with an army of 680,000 men. The Russians retreated and Napoleon continued to pursue long into the winter months. -
Napoleon's Defeat at Waterloo
The Battle of Waterloo was the last attempt by Napoleon to establish himself in France and Europe, after his defeat in 1814. British and Prussian forces crushed Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo.
