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Louis the XVI Calls the Estates-General
King Louis the XVI was the King of France. Before King Louis called the Estates-General, France was facing some economic issues. These issues include high taxes and an increase in spending of tax money. When the Estates-General met, they discussed many different topics. These topics include overruling, the financial crisis, and the privileges of the Third Estate. -
Parisians Storm the Bastille
On July 14th, 1789, the Parisians stormed the Bastille. The Bastille was a royal fortress and prison that symbolized the Bourbon monarch's tyranny. The fortress was home to Bernard-René Jordan de Launay, the military governor of the Bastille. Parisian military troops stormed and dismantled the fortress. The battle was important because it signified the start of the French revolution. -
Writing of the Declaration of the Rights of Men
The writing of the Declaration of the Rights of Men was the writing of a charter that contained the principles of life and human liberties. The charter adopted 17 articles and it also served as the preamble to the French Constitution of 1795. The charter is very similar to our Declaration of Independence. -
Establishment of the New Constitution
The New Constitution was the French Consitution of 1791 established by the National Assembly during the French Revolution. The constitution only lasted less than a year. The new constitution was established after the Tennis Court Oath. The Tennis Court Oath is was an agreement between the people of the National Assembly that said that the people have political authority in the nation. Not just monarchs. -
The Execution of the King and Queen/Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror was the most violent time of the French Revolution. The Radicals took control of the government and established unfair laws. The french had to be careful about what they said about because they did not want to be executed. King Louis was executed due to being involved in foreign affairs. Girondins are people who were against the King's execution. Queen Marie Antoinette was executed later that year for treason. The Guillotine was the device used for the execution. -
Napoleon Overthrows the Directory
Napoleon Bonaparte was a French general and political leader who rose through the ranks of the French Army and government after the French Revolution. The directory was a five-man committee that took power in France after the fall of Robespierre. Robespierre was the leader of the Jacobins. Napoleon overthrew the directory when he returned from Egypt after finding out that the Directory had lost the support of many of the French people. Napoleon overthrew the directory to form a new government. -
Napoleon Builds and Empire
Napoleon was crowned as emperor of France in 1804. Napoleon successfully conquered European nations and expanded the French empire. Napoleon's empire included most of Europe except for Balkans. France was enlarged by including Belgium, Holland, parts of Germany, and the Italian coast all the way to Rome. In addition, Napoleon held alliances with Austria, Russia, Denmark, Sweden, and Prussia. He also designed a war technique called the "Continental System" in order to easily conquer Britain. -
Napoleon Invades Russia
Napoleon invaded Russia with the Grande Armée (French Army) on June 24, 1812. The invasion lasted six months and the Grande Armée lost 200,000 men. This event was significant for Napoleon because the invasion of Russia halted his march across Europe and led to Napoleon's first exile. -
The Congress of Vienna Meets
The Congress of Vienna (1814-1815) was an assembly that helped reorganize Europe after Napoleon's conquers. The congress established a treaty called "Final Act" in June of 1815. The treaty established the boundaries of France and the French returned territories that were conquered by Napoleon. -
Napoleon Defeated at Waterloo
The Battle of Waterloo took place on June 18, 1815, in Belgium. The Battle of Waterloo was Napoleon's final defeat. He was defeated by the Duke of Wellington of the British Army. Napoleon's defeat led to the end of the Napoleonic era. The Napoleonic Code increased the authority of men over their families, eliminated rights for women, and reduced the rights of children.