The French Revolution

By jasmine.cummings

  • The Publication of The Leviathan by Hobbes

    The Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes is a book arguing that absolute monarchy is the only right form of government. It is Hobbes' most important work and one of the most important philosophical readings of the 17th century.

  • Publication of the Encyclopedia by Diderot

    The Encyclopedia by Diderot influenced the French Revolution because it emphasized the Enlightenment's political theories. This book was one of the biggest works of the philosophes in the 18th century.

  • Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are married

    Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette married at 14 and 15 years old. Marie came from Austria to live with Louis in Versailles.

  • Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette have their first child

    Marie and Louis were criticized for years about their inability to conceive. After 8 years of criticism, their first heir, Marie Therese, is born.

  • Formation of The National Assmebly

    The National Assembly lasted from June 17, 1789 to July 9, 1789. It represented the common people of France, The Third Estate.

  • Tennis Court Oath

    The members of the French Third Estate took this oath in 1789. They vowed " to not separate and to reassemble wherever circumstances require, until the constitution of the kingdom is established"

  • Bastille is stormed

    The Bastille wasn't stormed to free prisoners, but to collect ammunition and arms. The Bastille was also a symbol of the monarchy's dictatorial rule.

  • Execution of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

    Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were both executed in 1793. Louis XVI was charged with treason and Marie was charged with treason, theft, and a false count of incest.

  • The murder of Marat

    While taking a medicinal bath for his skin condition, he was assassinated by Charlotte Corday. Corday was then executed by guillotine 4 days later. Jaques-Louis David painted an infamous painting of the murder scene.

  • The Terror

    The Terror was intended to purge France of enemies and protect their country from foreign invaders. During this time, France was ruled by the Committee of Public Safety.

  • Execution of Robespierre

    Robespierre was executed by guillotine in 1794. Other revolutionary leaders were tired of the terror and executed him along with several of his supporters.

  • Napoleon Gains power in France

    Napoleon first gains power in a coup d'etat. This is viewed by most historians as the end of The French Revolution.

  • Napoleon crowns himself emporer

    Napoleon crowned himself Emperor Napoleon I at the Notre Dame in Paris. According to some sources, he snatched the crown from the pope and crowned himself.

  • Napoleon censors the press

    Mail is gone through by government police. Newspapers are now shut down depending on their content.

  • The Napoleonic Code

    Napoleon enforced his new set of laws in 1804 after being crowned emperor. These were France's first coherent set of laws.

  • Napoleon is exiled for the last time

    After he is defeated in the battle of Leipzig, he is exiled for his second and last time. He is sent to St. Helena, an island off the coast of Africa.

  • Napoleon's death

    Napoleon dies from a stomach ulcer or possibly even cancer. He dies where he was exiled to in St. Helena and is sent back to France to be buried.