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French Revolution
The time period of multiple revolutions and changes in government within France caused radical change and effects on all of Europe both in that time period and for many years to come -
Estates-General Meeting
A gathering of the three estates' representatives. It was called because King Louis XVI wanted to impose taxes on the nobles as a means of revenue. He did this instead of cutting down on his extravagant spending. I think this was an important moment because it was a catalyst for the creation of the Nation Assembly which helped establish a different type of government for a period of time. -
Storming of Bastille Prison
As Paris began to hear rumors of war and violence, many citizens began searching for weapons to defend themselves. On July 14th 1789, citizens stormed the Bastille prison and killed about 100 guards, prisoners, and people in search of gunpowder and weapons. Since then, July 14—Bastille Day—has been a national holiday in France, comparable to July 4 in the US. I think this was an important event to include because it was kind of the starting event for the French Revolution. -
Women Marching on Versailles
Thousands of Parisian women marched on Versailles because of the price of bread. They brought many weapons with them such as axes, knives, and axes. They broke into the palace, and demanded that the royal family return to Paris, to which King Louis agreed. I wanted to include this event because it indicated the coming power shift and drastic reforms in France. Source:
https://www.chino.k12.ca.us/cms/lib/CA01902308/Centricity/Domain/3696/Early%20Events.pdf -
Reign of Terror
Maximilien Robespierre's dictatorship of France was called the Reign of Terror lasting July of 1793 to July of 1794. This was because he utilized the government as a way to get rid of enemies of the revolution. It was said that the people on trial were tried in the morning and guillotined in the afternoon, claiming about 40,000 lives. I wanted to include this event because it showed how the revolution wasn't as successful as people hoped. -
King Louis XVI's Death Sentence
Due to the National Convention's new constitution, the king was now a lowly commoner, so he was tried for treason. The Convention found him guilty and, by a very close vote, he was sentenced to death. On January 21, 1793, he walked onto the stage of scaffolding and was beheaded by a guillotine. I think this was important to include because it showed the fall of monarchy for the time being. -
Napoleon Seizes Power
By 1799, the Directory had lost complete control of the politics and confidence of the French people. Upon his return from an expedition to Egypt, Napoleon's friends thought he should use this chance to seize power. In November of 1799, Napoleon took action and seized power of the government. I wanted to include this event because it was the very beginning of Napoleon's amazing and disappointing reign over France. -
Napoleon Becomes Emperor
In 1804, Napoleon started to believe that he should crown himself as emperor, and he received the support of most of the country. On December 2, 1804, Napoleon crowned HIMSELF as emperor in the Notre Dame Cathedral. With the gesture of taking the crown from the pope and crowning himself, Napoleon hinted to his superiority to the Church. I wanted to include this event because it was an important show of power that displayed the personality and tendencies of Napoleon. -
Napoleon's Biggest Mistake
In June of 1812, Napoleon decided to invade Russia because even though they had an alliance, the partnership between France and Russia was diminishing. What Napoleon believed to be a fair battle was far from that. The czar of Russia utilized a scorched-earth policy, leaving much of Napoleon's troops starving. I wanted to include this event because it is the most costly mistake made by Napoleon that ended with his downfall and death. -
Napoleon Loses the Throne
After his biggest disaster, Napoleon was still able to raise a huge army, however, his soldiers were ill-equipped for the war they were about to face from the allied armies. By January of 184, the allied forces pushed steadily into Paris and confronted Napoleon. In April of 1814, Napoleon gave up his throne under the conditions of the allies: he would be given a small pension and would be exiled to an island. This event was important to include because it shows the defeat of the great Napoleon -
Napoleon Returns, but not for Long
After hearing about the dislike of the new king, Napoleon thought it would be good to take his throne again. After arriving in France, he was met with many joyous French people who would be his soldiers. He tried to take his throne back, but the allied armies were too powerful for him. After this defeat, the allied forces banished Napoleon to St. Helena, where he later died in 1821. This was an important event because it marked the last appearance of Napoleon in the history books.