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War of American Independence
The first major fight between the Americans and the British and goes on for years. During this time France has major financial problems until they go in to fight with the Americans against the Britsh (for revenge). The French learn ideas of equality, liberty, and fraternity from this expirience. -
The Estates General is Called
The Estates General had not been called since 1614 due to absolutism. But was called again in the summer of 1788 to resolve growing economic and political crisis in France. -
The Estates General Convenes
A general assembly representing the church, the nobility and the common people. This assembly was called by King Louis XVI to figure out solutions to his governments financial problems. -
The National Assembly is Established
The Third Estate formed the National Assembly because of the Kings indecisiveness in a time of struggle. With the third class making up about 96 percent or the population they wanted more say, but the royal authorities still prevailed. -
The Tennis Court Oath
Louis XVI forced the closure of where the National Assembly was meeting. When this happened they started to meet at an indoor tennis court. The members had to take an oath not to break up until a new constitution had been made up. -
The First and Second Estates join the Third Estate in the National Assembly
King Louis XVI thought he would be able to control the Third Estate if it were a larger group. So he ordered the clergy and nobles to join it (some already had) but most refused. The First and Second Estates did not want to lower themselves to the same level as the Third Estate. -
Parisians Storm the Bastille
On this date about eight to nine hundred Parisians gathered in front of Bastille looking for weapons. They entered the outer courtyard. Many people were killed and the fighting grew more intense. Bastille fell and the governor was captured. This brought triumph of justice and liberty to France. -
The Declaration of the Rights of Man
The Declaration of the Rights of Man affirmed political and social equality of all men. It was to maintain the sovereignty of the people, natural right of liberty, property, security, and resistance to opposition. This Declaration brought in a new era, change and abolsihed the Old Regime. -
King Louis XVI is Executed
First the Estates General cut of the King’s power then the King and his family were forced to imprisonment. He was brought to trial for his crimes against people and was executed shortly after. His execution would bring more freedom and the idea of democracy to France. -
The Committee of Public Safety is Established
The Committee of Public Safety was established to centralize control. It was made up of 12 members with executive powers. It wanted to repress the counter-revolutionaries. Any citizen even just slightly suspected of being against the policies of the committee was executed. This created the Reign of Terror in France, until Robspierre (the leader) was then executed. This execution also created more freedom for citizens in France. -
The Directory is Established
The Directory was established with five men in executive power. It ruled France along with a two-house legislature. Although the only people that could vote were citizens that paid a certain amount of taxes. This was not quite democracy and still left people out because of where they stood in society but was a step closer. -
Napolean leads a successful Coup and becomes leader of France
Napoleon was thirty years old and has had victory in a dozen battles. On November 9th he carried out a military coup and now named himself ruler of France. Napoleon brought war victories and was a good administrator who created many useful reforms. -
Napolean creates reforms in France (Private schools)
1800-1804- Napoleon created many reforms to improve France, which included Private schools (lycees) to create more available education to the middle class, it also encouraged patriotism and taught the same courses at each school. -
(Napolean creates reforms in France (Taxation)
1800-1804- Napoleon also made a law that taxes were applied equally to everyone. Out of this came the Bank of France, where they started to make paper money and loan available to start businesses. -
Napoleon created reforms in France (Napoleonic Code)
1800-1804- Napoleon also created the ‘Napoleonic Code’ which was influenced by the French law. This code said that all men were equal; there was freedom of religion, as well as the right for a person to work at any occupation. All these reforms influenced France positively. -
Concordat with Pope Pius
The Concordat was an agreement between Napoleon and Pope Pius. They re-established the Catholic Church in France. Napoleon believed peace of the church was necessary for peace of the country. He also thought it would win the support of the large majority of peasant farmers. -
Napolean declared Emperor
Napoleon was crowned Emperor of France on December 2nd, 1804. Most of the population of France voted for this. Napoleon showed France more hope and got rid of the Old Regime. Napoleon knew the French would not want to go back to the old ways, so they would for sure vote for him. But he brought new ideas and reforms to the French government. -
Berlin Decree establishes the Continental System
The Berlin Decree stopped all British imports into European countries allied with France. And the Continental System was created. Napoleon was unable to defeat Britain so he decided to blockade British ports and cut off important goods. But this plan backfired and the British came back with a rule that any ship going to France had to stop in Britain and pay a tax. All overseas imports were cut off and this severely hurt the French economy. -
Russia withdraws from the Continental System
Due to the Continental System damaging the Russian economy as well Czar Alexander I decided to resume trade with Britain. This hurt the French because they lost another ally and this made Napoleon feel angry and betrayed. -
Grande Armee invades Russia and then is forced to retreat
After Russia resumed trade with Britain, Napoleon immediately wanted to fight back. When he invaded Russia to his surprise they retreated, as they went further into their country they burned everything that might be a help to Napoleon. They left nothing for him and destroyed their country. Since Napoleon didn’t plan to attack at the right time, the Russian winter took over his Grande Armee. His soldier either dies of starvation or froze to death. This wasn’t a victory and did not help France. -
Battle of Nations
This being the biggest war in Europe before WW1, caused Napoleon to have a big weight on his shoulders. Many of his allies had left him and he was forced to get a new army together. The war included Austria, Prussia, Russia, and Sweden. Napoleon’s army had shrunk a lot by the time he got to Leipzig and had been fighting for three days. -
Battle of Nations (cont)
The French that were left had low ammunition and were run dry by Napoleon. The French lost 30 000 as prisoners and 54 000 were killed and wounded. This war brought Napoleons ongoing rage to an end and he was not invincible anymore. -
Congress of Vienna
European powers met at the Congress of Vienna to try and restore a peaceful and balance Europe, where one nation would not be so powerful again. -
Exiled to Elba
Under the treaty Fontainebleau Napoleon was exiled. He was now allowed to rule Elba and said he actually wanted peace. It seemed as though he was improving Elba, he was content, and actually did some things to help. But all the while he was planning to escape. -
Napolean Abdicates
Napoleon Abdicates- By this time most of France was taken over by the nations, he’d fought and Czar Alexander I wanted Napoleon off the throne. Napoleon ended up abdicating the throne and was sent to the island of Elba. The Old Bourbon dynasty was restored, although the Napoleonic Code remained. Once again France was stirred up but would hopefully be peaceful once again. -
Napolean escapes from Elba
- Although Napoleon was exiled he still received letters and newspapers where he was believed to have heard about his wife’s death. Somehow Napoleon managed to sneak past the Austrian and French guards, get past interception by a British ship and get back to France. Upon arrival, French police were sent to arrest him, but instead kneeled before him along with the troops and citizens. And he was welcomed with a celebration.
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Napolean is exiled to St.Helena
After his defeat he was exiled to St. Helena, which was not a very big island, where he stayed with a British family. Napoleon was now escorted and referred to as “General Bonaparte,” not his name of emperor. This was the end of Napoleon as he had died six years later. -
Battle of Waterloo
The Duke of Wellington was fighting against Napoleon at the Battlefield at Waterloo. After Napoleons escape Wellington obviously did not want him back, a war was about to arise. The Prussians then arrived to help Wellington and together they took down the French and Napoleon. His last run at it had failed therefore he was once again exiled, this time to St. Helena.
