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May 5, 1789 meeting with the Estates-General
A significant event took place on 5 May 1789 in Versailles when the Estates-General convened to make some important decisions. While originally intended to be a discussion about taxation and finances, the meeting quickly veered off-topic as the Third Estate discovered their desire for a say in affairs and for restructuring the government. It was this crucial gathering that initiated the start of the French Revolution. -
Tennis Court Oath
During the French Revolution Estates-General meeting, representatives of the non-aristocratic classes made a defiant gesture by taking the Tennis Court Oath. This dynamic act took place on a tennis court where they pledged to stay together until France had a written constitution. -
Storming of the Bastille
On July 14, 1789, a group of Parisians who revolted against Bourbon monarchy stormed Bastille – a fortress and prison that represented the tyranny of the monarchy – and dismantled it. This event marked the starting of the French Revolution, which involved a ten-year political upheaval accompanied by extensive terror that resulted in the overthrowing of King Louis XVI and close to thousands of public executions. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
In 1789, the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen was created by the Constituent Assembly to establish natural rights such as freedom, property, safety and defense against tyranny. It also promotes equality under law while distributing power to reduce instability. -
Women's March on Versailles
The women of Parisian markets marched towards Versailles on October 5, 1789 to demand changes. They surrounded the palace until King Louis XVI was compelled to accompany them back to Paris. -
Execution of King Louis XVI
In November 1792, a secret compartment was discovered in Tuileries Palace that had evidence of Louis' opposition to the revolution and contact with foreign countries. As a result, he was accused of treason and later put to death by guillotine on January 21st, 1793. -
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Reign of Terror
Known as the Terror, the Reign of Terror was a time of government-approved brutality and large-scale killings throughout the French Revolution. From Sept. 5, 1793, to July 27, 1794, the revolutionary authority in France commanded the detention and death of countless individuals. -
Maximilien Robespierre's execution
Robespierre and his supporters were apprehended at the Hôtel de Ville in Paris on July 27, 1794. The day after, they were transported to the Place de la Révolution where Robespierre and 21 of his companions were taken to be executed by a guillotine. -
Napoleonic Code is established
Napoleon implemented a civil code that granted equal treatment and safeguarded the assets of all male citizens while establishing the Bank of France for both state and financial elite interests. Although this legal system was uniform, it stripped away many women's rights to restore traditional family rule. -
Napoleon Crowns himself emperor
Napoleon I declared himself Emperor on December 2, 1804 at Notre Dame de Paris. It is said that during the coronation, he took the crown from the Pope's hands and crowned himself, indicating his defiance towards the Pope's authority. -
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Peninsular War
The British Army fought against the French from 1808 to 1814 in the Iberian Peninsula with help from allies Spain and Portugal. Despite being outnumbered, they eventually triumphed and expelled the French before invading France itself, playing a key role in Napoleon's overthrow. -
Napoleon and his men march on Russia
In 1812, Napoleon and his army crossed the Neman River into Russia but were met with resistance from the Russian army who refused to fight. This led to a disastrous outcome for the French. -
Napoleon is exiled to Elba
Following his failed campaign in Russia, Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to the island of Elba where he continued to hold the title of emperor. However, his power was limited to the island's population of 12,000 rather than the vast empire of 70 million Europeans he had once ruled over. -
Napoleon dies
Napoleon Bonaparte passed away on May 5, 1821, while in exile on the island of Saint Helena, which was under British control. His death was attributed to stomach cancer, but there are still uncertainties surrounding the actual cause.