The Enlightenment and French Revolution

By robyn685
  • 1543

    Copernicus publishes "On the Revoultions of the Heavenly Spheres"

    Copernicus publishes "On the Revoultions of the Heavenly Spheres"
    This is seen by many as the beginning of the Scientific Revolution.
  • Period: 1543 to

    The Enlightenment and French Revolution

  • The Age of Enlightenment Begins

    The Age of Enlightenment Begins
    Inspired by the Scientific Revolution, The Age of Enlightenment challenged thinking in the name of reason.

  • Isaac Newton (1642-1727)

    Isaac Newton (1642-1727)
    Newton published his "Principia Mathematica."

  • John Locke (1632-1704)

    John Locke (1632-1704)
    Locke published his "Essay Concerning Human Understanding."

  • The Spectator Began Circulation

    The Spectator Began Circulation
    Print culture influenced and increased throughout Europe.

  • Voltaire (1694-1778)

    Voltaire (1694-1778)
    Voltaire was so outspoken he was arrested, imprisoned and ultimately exiled. Published "Letters on the English" where he criticized France.

  • "The Encyclopedia" was Published

    "The Encyclopedia" was Published
    Dennis Diderot and Jean Le Rond d'Alembert oversaw the publication of sixteen volumes, completed in 1772.

  • Marquis Cesare Beccaria (1738-1794)

    Marquis Cesare Beccaria (1738-1794)
    Beccaria published 'On Crimes and Punishments." Beccaria opposed torture and capital punishment.

  • Adam Smith (1723-1790)

    Adam Smith (1723-1790)
    Published his "Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations." Smith was credited for being the founder of laissez-faire (minimum governmental interference) economics.

  • France enters the American Revolution

    France enters the American Revolution
    France came to the aid of the colonists and became an official ally through the Treaty of Alliance.

  • Turmoil in France

    Turmoil in France
    Louis XVI's poor economic policies, including backing the American Revolution, and lavish spending have France teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. Louis VXI lived in luxury at Versailles , while peasants were in danger of starvation.

  • The Summoning of the French Estates General

    The Summoning of the French Estates General
    The crisis was so out of hand, the assembly had not been convened since 1614. Once the parties gathered, a whole new set of problems emerged.

  • The Tennis Court Oath- The Rise of the Third Estate

    The Tennis Court Oath- The Rise of the Third Estate
    The Third Estate comprised nearly ninety-eight percent of the population of France, but could still be outvoted. The Third Estate began to garner support for equal representation (voting by head and not by status).

  • The Storming of Bastille

    The Storming of Bastille
    Masses of Parisians, took to the streets, marching to Bastille to secure gunpowder and weapons. This is considered by many as the start of The French Revolutiion.

  • The Great Fear

    The Great Fear
    Fear intensified with the peasant population, who rioted determined to take back what they saw as rightfully theirs (food supplies and land). After this night, all French citizens were subject to the same laws.

  • Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

    Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
    Declaration declared all men were born free and remain free and equal in rightsand government existed to protect those rights.

  • Women March on Versailles

    Women March on Versailles
    Approximately 7,000 women marched on Versailles demanding more bread. They demanded theat the King return to Paris with them, which he reluctantly did.

  • France's First Written Constitution was Adopted

    France's First Written Constitution was Adopted
    The Constitution established a Constitutional Monarchy. This took much power away from the King.

  • France's Newly Elected Legislative Assembly Declares War

    France's Newly Elected Legislative Assembly Declares War
    War was declared on Austria where it was believed counter-insurgent forces were mobilizing.

  • Reign of Terror

    Reign of Terror
    During a ten-month period peasants, nobles, and clergy were executed. These actions were taken to protect the Revolution and silence dissenters.

  • King Louis VXI is Executed

    King Louis VXI is Executed
    During the Reign of Terror, Louis VXI, was condemned to death for high treason and crimes against the state.

  • France Declares War

    France Declares War
    The Convention declared war on Great Britain, Holland, and a month later on Spain

  • Queen Marie Antoinette is Executed

    Queen Marie Antoinette is Executed
    Months after the execution of her husband, Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette was beheaded.

  • The Convention Approve Executive Power being given to The Directory

    The Convention Approve Executive Power being given to The Directory
    Executive power would lie in the hands of a five-member Directory, appointed by Parliament. The resistance to the new regime was silenced by Napoleon Bonaparte

  • Napoleon Bonaparte Stages a coup d'etat and overthrows the Directory

    Napoleon Bonaparte Stages a coup d'etat and overthrows the Directory
    Napoleon abolished the Directory and rose to power.

  • Napoleon 1 Crowns Himself Emperor

    Napoleon 1 Crowns Himself Emperor

  • Napoleon Abdicates the Thrown

    Napoleon Abdicates the Thrown
    The resulting disaster from a failed invasion of Russia caused Napoleon to be exiled to the island of Elba.

  • Napoleon Returns to Power Briefly in his Hundred Days Campaign

    Napoleon Returns to Power Briefly in his Hundred Days Campaign

  • The Battle of Waterloo

    The Battle of Waterloo
    Napoleon is defeated and again abdicates power and is exiled to Saint Helena, where he dies in 1821.

  • References:

    Kagan, D., Frank, A., Turner, F., & Ozment, S. (2013). The western heritage (11th ed., Vol. Combined). Pearson.