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Louis XVI was crowned King of France
In 1774, Louis XVI was crowned King after his grandfather Louis XV died of smallpox. -
American Revolution Begins
The American Revolution created a blueprint for France's Revolution and it's what led France to their bankruptcy. -
Calling of the Estates General
The King called all members of the Estate General to meet, and they haven't met for 175 years. In this meeting he wanted permission to tax the 1st and 2nd estates. Unfortunately, that did not happen which resulted in the 3rd estate becoming upset over poor representation. -
Formation of the National Assembly
The third estate decides enough is enough and revolts against the French government to create their own form. -
The Tennis Court Oath
The members of the National Assembly gathered all their supporters in the tennis court at Palace of Versailles. They took an oath where they promised to never separate until a written constitution was established for France. -
Attack on Bastille
A state prison,known as Bastille, was attacked by an angry mob which consisted of commoners and people of the 3rd estate. Bastille was held with a bunch of weapons which the government controlled. The event became one of the most defining moments in the French Revolution. -
French women force Louis XIV to leave Versailles
They try and get everyone who lives in Versailles to vacate, especially the king. However, he decides to stay along with his family to rule France, enough though it was falling apart. -
Declaration of war against Austria
While the king is locked up in prison, he sends out letters to bordering countries asking for them to invade. Since Marie Antoinette is from Austria and their close companions with France, Austria decided to invade them. The National Assembly finds out about this a declares war against Austria. -
Louis XIV is executed
After being convicted for working with foreign powers, he is put to death by the guillotine as the citizens of Paris cheered and watched. -
The Reign of Terror begins
The Reign of Terror is a time period where people were extremist radicals and would do anything and everything to make sure France became a republic. They would try to hard, to the point where they killed so many innocent people. In the span of 10 months they killed about 16,594 French citizens. During this time, Robespierre ruled France as a dictator and he changed the calendar,confiscated church lands and money, and finally, removed Sunday because he hated church. -
The National Convention is formed
They set aside the constitution, abolished the monarchy, and FINALLY made France a republic. -
The Thermidorian Reaction
In the month of Thermidor (July), the people had enough fighting and death. They soon put Robespierre on trial and he was executed by the guillotine. -
The Directory is formed
The Directory lasted from 1795-1799. It was mostly made up of the third estate and the power was placed in the hands of the bourgeoisie. They had a two house legislature, even though they were much better than Robespierre, they weren't able to replenish the bankruptcy or the food shortages that France had been suffering from. However, in the end they hired a very good general to command their wars and win. -
Napoleon takes power
After winning most of the battles they fought, people really started liking him. He always did good for France and the citizens thought that he would make a good ruler as well. Which led to Napoleon taking power in 1804 and becoming emperor. -
Napoleon invades Russia
The French invasion of Russia left France in defeat. Napoleon's plan was to bring the war to an end by forcing the Russians to fight in a major battle. -
Napoleons defeat at Waterloo
The Battle of Waterloo, which took place in Belgium, marked the final defeat of the French military and emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. The battle marked an end to France wanting total control over all Europe.
