French Revolution Timeline

  • May 5, 1789 meeting with the Estates-General

    May 5, 1789 meeting with the Estates-General
    A meeting of the three estates of pre-revolutionary France. Summoned by King Louis XVI of France
  • Tennis Court Oath

    Tennis Court Oath
    An oath that was an act that political authority derived from the people and their representatives rather than from the monarchy.
  • Storming of the Bastille

    Storming of the Bastille
    The Paris mob that was hungry due to a lack of food from poor harvests that was upset, stormed the Bastille fortress.
  • Declaration of the Rights of Man

    Declaration of the Rights of Man
    17 articles that talk about “natural and inalienable” rights, which are freedom, ownership, security, no oppression. basically equality.
  • The Women's March on Versailles

    The Women's March on Versailles
    The Women's March on Versailles was one of the earliest and most significant events of the French Revolution.
  • Execution of King Louis XVI

    Execution of King Louis XVI
    Louis XVI, former king of France since the abolition of the monarchy. He was executed.
  • Maximillian Robespierre's execution

    Maximillian Robespierre's execution
    Maximillian and 21 of his followers were arrested and executed.
  • Period: to

    Reign of Terror

    The Reign of Terror was a period of the French Revolution that a series of massacres and numerous public executions happened.
  • Napoleonic Code is established

    Napoleonic Code is established
    It was a major revision and reorganization of laws since the Roman era.
  • Napoleon Crowns himself emperor

    Napoleon Crowns himself emperor
    Napoleon crowns himself emperor of France.
  • Period: to

    Peninsular War

    Military conflict fought in the Iberian Peninsula by Spain, Portugal, and the United Kingdom.
  • Napoleon and his men march on Russia

    Napoleon and his men march on Russia
    Napoleon marches his army, estimated around 100,000 people into Russia.
  • Napoleon is exiled to Elba

    Napoleon is exiled to Elba
    Napoleon is banished to the Mediterranean island of Elba.
  • Napoleon dies

    Napoleon dies
    Napoleon gets sick and kills over at the age of 51.