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Frech Revolution began
The French revolution started because of raised taxes due to King Louis XVI's extravagent spending. The theme of extravagent spending is popular in The Count of Monte Cristo. Wealth is a catalyst for revenge. Also during the French Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte became known for his bravery as a highly ranked soldier. Napoleon is part of Edmond Dantes' reason for imprisonment. -
King Louis XVI is hanged
The event of King Louis XVI's death is very significant. This death causes even more instibility in France. The working class of France was pushing for more equality, so when the King was hanged a French Republic was started. There were many supporters of this government and many opposers.These two types of people seperated into the Jacobins and Girondins. An enemy of Dantes, Monsieur de Villefort, sent him to prison to protect his reputation from being considered a Girondin like his father. -
Napoleon Bonaparte declares himself the Emperor of France
Royalists, people who are still loyal to the power of the King, greatly oppose Bonaparte as a ruler. The already unstable government has become even more fragile. This instability allows for France to be split into small tyrannical empires. Abbe Faria, Dantes prision friend, was imprisioned by roylaists because he believed Italy should have been one empire, similar to Napoleon's beliefs. -
Napoleon is exiled
Napoleon is exiled to the Ise of Elba after trying to gain territory for his empire. This is significant because as Dantes travels on the ship Pharaon, he must make a requested stop at the Isle of Elba. He recieves a letter from a man on the island and is ordered to deliver it to Paris, but Dantes doesnt know the dangerous information the letter contains. This event opens a door for Dantes shipmate, Danglars, to trap Dantes in his actions. -
King Louis XVIII returns
King Louis XVIII returns to power in france. He creates a new consititution with religious tolerance and parliament. With the King back in power, the police force is extremely cautious of Bonapartists. Dantes is accused of being a Bonapartist because the letter he recieved on the Isle of Elba contained information about Napoleon Bonaparte's plans. Danglars turns Dantes in and he is put in jail because his "beliefs" are threatening. -
Napoleon returns to France
As stated in the letter Dantes recieved, Napoleon heads to Paris. Villefoert warns the King of Napoleon's travels, in hopes of getting a gift in return. Villefort wants to set a good reputation for himself, apart from his father's, so he destroys Dantes letter (proof of his innocence and proof of Villefort's fathers radical beliefs) and imprisons him. Napoleon takes over and rules for 111 days, known as The Hundred Days. -
Second Restoration
King Louis XVII has the second restoration of the throne. Louis had to learn how to balance royalist and revolutionist ideas to keep peace. Villefort is made public prosecuter by the King and married Mademoiselle de SaintMeran. Her father was highly respected in court, so Villefort's selfish plan to become wealthy succeeded. -
Port of Marseille
After Napoleon Bonaparte's rule came to an end, the Port of Marseille flourished. This port was always heavily used, but once Napoleon expanded the empire, extreme trading occured. This port boomed with activity between 1815-1830. Dantes sailed in and out of the port many times and was about to be made captian of the Pharaon when he was arrested. The firm of the ship, Morrel and Son, did not experience benefit from the activity, because many ships were lost after Dantes left. -
Greece rebels against the Ottoman Empire
The French Revolution and others around the world sparked Greece to rebel against the Ottoman Empire. Unlike the French revolution, this rebellion was successful. Another man who took part in imprisioning Dantes is Fernand. He was jealous of Dantes soon to be wife, Mercedes. Shortly after Dantes was put in jail for his "political crime," Fernand was drafted into the Napoleon army. Once peace began under King Louis XVIII, Fernand left to help fight with the Ottoman Empire. -
Ali Pasha dies
Ali Pasha was the leader of the Ottoman Empire. Fernand fights under Ali Pasha and becomes close to this powerful man. Once Ali Pasha died, Fernand recieved large amounts of money. -
Ferdinand VII is restored in Spain
At the beginning of 1823 the French army helped Spain restore King Ferdinand VII as their ruler. At this time Fernand was serving in the army and Danglars worked for a banker in Spain. The two men, who both played a role in imprisioning Dantes, met again and promised to support each other throughout the quarrell. -
King Louis XVIII dies
While Dantes is in prision, he is unaware of the outside world and even the passage of days. When Dantes is released he is surprised to find there is a new King, the Count of Artois, Louis's brother.
