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The Estates General meets for the first time in 175 years
A general assembly representing the French Estates; the nobility, the clergy, and the common people. -
The Estates General becomes the National Assembly
The Third Estate declared themselves the National Assembly. -
The Tennis Court Oath
Members of the Third Estate meet on tennis courts at Versailles and promise not to disband until a new constitution has been written. -
Louis XVI recognizes the National Assembly
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Storming of the Bastille
Celebrated as French Independence Day. -
National Assembly ends feudalism in France
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Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens is published
The first step towards writing a constitution for France. -
Women march on Versailles
Thousands of women marched to Versailles and forced the royal family to return to Paris. -
Royal family caught and arrested
The royal family was caught and arrested at the French border in a failed attempt to escape. -
Legislative Assembly convenes
They abolished slavery and granted religious tolerance to Protestants and Jews. -
France declares war on Austria
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Sans-Culottes storm the Tuileries
The Sans-Culottes were shop keepers, wage earners, and artisans. The Tuileries was a royal palace in Paris. -
The September Massacres
The Massacres were a wave of mob violence which overtook Paris in late Summer 1792. -
The National Convention meets
They abolish the monarchy and create a new government/constitution. -
Execution of King Louis XVI of France
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Execution of Marie Antoinette
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1793-1794 Maximilien Robespierre arrested and executed
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Napoleon overthrows the Directory and seizes control of the government
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Treaty of Amiens with Great Britain
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Napoleon crowns himself emperor
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Nelson defeats Napoleon at the Battle of Trafalgar
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Battle of Jena - Pussia defeated
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Battle of Friedland
Russia defeated; Treaty of Tilsit between France and Russia. -
France invades Russia
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Grand Alliance defeats France at the Battle of Nations
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Napoleon is exiled to Elba; Louis XVIII crowned King of France
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Wellington defeates Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo
