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Louis XVI calls the Estates General
When Louis XVI called the Estates-General in 1789, it marked a crucial event in the French Revolution. The Estates-General was a representative assembly that included representatives from the clergy, nobility, and common people. The king called the assembly to address financial issues and propose solutions. However, tension arose as the representatives of the common people, known as the Third Estate, sought more political power and equal representation. -
Tennis Court Oath
Faced with political deadlock and opposition from the monarchy, members of the Third Estate found themselves locked out of their usual meeting place. Led by figures like Sieyes and Mirabeau, they pledged not to disband until a new constitution from France was established. This oath marked a significant symbolic moment, signaling the assertion of popular sovereignty and the pursuit of political change. -
Parisians storming the Bastille
The Bastille was a fortress and state prison in Paris, seen as a symbol of royal tyranny. Fueled by economic grievances, political discontent, and a desire for weapons, a large crowd, including Parisian revolutionaries, stormed the Bastille. On that day, the revolutionaries overran the fortress, securing its surrender. The fall of the Bastille is considered a symbol of the people's triumph over royal authority. -
Writing of the Declaration of the Rights of Men
Inspired by Enlightenment ideas, the declaration asserted the equality and rights of all citizens, emphasizing liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression. It serves as a key document in the development of democratic principles and has influenced subsequent declarations of human rights globally. -
March on Versailles
Fueled by economic hardships and food scarcity, a large and predominantly female crowd marched from Paris to the Palace of Versailles. The protesters, mainly women, were angry about the high bread cost and demanded economic relief. They marched to Versailles and confronted the King. -
Establishment of the New French Constitution
The Establishment of the New French Constitution refers to the process through which France adopted a new constitutional framework. The National Assembly, formed by representatives of the Third Estate, played a central role in the transformation. The new constitution reflected the revolutionary ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity. It marked a fundamental shift in the political structure of France, laying the groundwork for a more democratic and representative system of governance. -
Execution of the King
King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette faced increased opposition from revolutionary forces. They were eventually arrested, tried for high treason, and found guilty by the National Convention. On January 21, 1793, King Louis XVI was executed by guillotine in the Place de la Revolution in Paris. -
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Reign of Terror
Led by the radical Jacobins, particularly Maximilien Robespierre, the Committee of Public Safety instigated a ruthless crackdown on perceived enemies of the revolution. Thousands of people, including aristocrats, clergy, and political opponents, were executed by guillotine. The Regin of Terror aimed to suppress counter-revolutionary activities and solidify the revolutionary government's power. It eventually led to the fall of Robespierre and the end of the radical phase of the revolution. -
Execution Of the Queen
King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette faced increased opposition from revolutionary forces. They were eventually arrested, tried for high treason, and found guilty by the National Convention. Later, on October 16, 1793, Queen Marie Antoinette met the same fate as King Louis XVI and was executed by guillotine. -
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Napoleon Builds an Empire
Napoleon Bonaparte's historical actions during the early 19th century. He successfully expanded the French Empire through a series of military campaigns and diplomatic maneuvers across Europe. -
Napoleon Overthrows the Directory
Dissatisfaction with the Directory's corruption, inefficiency, and political instability paved the way for Napoleon's rise to power. The coup, known as the 18 Brumaire, led to the establishment of the Consulate, with Napoleon as First Conus. This event marked the beginning of Napoleon's political ascendancy, eventually leading to his proclamation as Emperor of the French in 1804 -
Napoleon Invades Russia
Napoleon launched a military campaign to invade Russia, known as the French invasion of Russia. Despite initial successes, the harsh Russian winter and strategic withdrawals by the Russians led to devastating losses for the French army. The campaign ended in a disastrous retreat, severely weakening Napoleon's forces and contributing to his eventual downfall. -
The Congress of Vienna Meets
It was a diplomatic gathering involving major European powers to reorganize and establish a balance of power after the Napoleonic Wars. The primary goal was to prevent future conflicts by reshaping the map of Europe and restoring monarchies. The Congress aimed to achieve stability and maintain peace In the aftermath of Napoleon's defeat. -
6th Coalition Occupies Paris
A group of allied nations including Russia, Austria, Prussia, and others, captured and occupied Paris. This occurred during the Napoleonic Wars, ultimately leading to Napoleon's abdication and exile to the island of Elba. The occupation of Paris played a crucial role in the downfall of Napoleon's rule and the subsequent attempts to reshape the European political landscape through diplomatic negotiations, particularly during the Congress of Vienna. -
King Louis XVIII Begins His Reign
Lois XVIII began his reign following the first abdication of Napoleon Bonaparte. After the defeat of Napoleon, Lois XVIII, the brother of Louis XVI, was restored to the French throne. His reign lasted until the "Hundred Days" in 1815 when Napoleon briefly returned to power. Lois XVIII resumed his reign after Napoleon's final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo and remained on the throne until his death in 1824 -
Napoleon Defeated at Waterloo
The combined forces of the British and Prussian armies, led by the Duke of Wellington and Gebhard Leberecht von Blucher, Defeated Napoleon's forces, leading to his abdication and subsequent exile to the remote island of Saint Helena.