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The 3 states
May 5, 1789
Facing crippling debt, the monarch of France, King Louis XVI assembles the Three Estates. Louis wishes to raise the taxes on the citizens of France, but law states that he can only do so with the approval of the Three Estates. However, what Louis did not predict was that the First Estate and the Second Estate would vote to only raise taxes on the Third Estate. This angers members of the Third Estate, who represent over 95 percent of the French population. -
The Storming of the Bastille
The Storming of Bastille took place in the capital of France known as Paris. It was invaded by angry and aggravated people and started from a disagreement in a debate. On July 11, King Louis removed the finance minister who showed sympathy towards the third estate who was being treated unfairly. In order to keep Paris and Versailles in order, they showed no loyalty to the citizens and used lethal attacks on them.Later, the mob wanted the prison to surrender. They didn't listen,and gunfire began. -
The Declaration of the Rights of Man
The Declaration of the Rights of Man was written in 1789 as a safeguard for the rights of Men. It was intended for French born, tax paying citizens over the age of 25. It was written excluding the women of France. It had ideas of the American Revolution. This was not put into action immediately, so it was more of future promises. -
March on Versailles
In Paris, the women were rioting over the lack and expensive price of bread. Rumors had it that the food was being held back by the French government so that the first and second estates could benefit off of it. That being said, over 7,000 men and women rallied up and walked 11 miles to confront King Louis about this. In Conclusion, the monarchists lost their power. -
The Constitution of 1791
The Constitution was written in 1791. It removed many institution considered "injurious to liberty and equality of rights." It had 3 branches- The executive, judiciary, and legislative. In todays views, it would not be considered a Democratic Institution. Once again, women were not covered under this constitution, only male property owners of a specific age. -
Committee of Public Safety
This Committee was given power over the judicial and legislative branches. They had the most power under the eye of Robespierre, who made some sort of a dictatorship. Since they were radical, they wanted to remove any past 'leftovers" of the last government. That being said, the people looted the Churches and destroyed them. Any person who did not agree or was suspected to not agree with with the revolution would be killed. -
The Directory
The Five Man Directory, created in 1785, failed to do its job. It did not resolve the run down economy of France, but used a lot of weapons to solve its issues. You could say that is was like a form of dictatorship. This Council made all the members be part of the people that voted on King Louis' execution. -
The Concordat of 1801
The Concordat of 1801 was a peace treaty between France and the Catholic Church. While the Concordat gave the Catholic Church some of the previously held privilege's, it many benefitted Napoleon as lands were not returned to the Church. Napoleon knew that the Church could unite France and he used this knowledge to his advantage and to consolidate power. -
The First Consul
He was approached by plotters to remove the 5 man Directory. Having this popularity, he was chosen as a figure to manipulate him to use him and make a difference in the government. Napoleon outsmarted them, and abused his popularity by rewriting the constitution and making him a Ruler and appointing himself as the first consul. -
The Lands
Due to the French wars in Europe, some colonies obtained a level of freedom. The revolution in Saint-Domingue, led by Toussaint Louverture, caused many casualties and proved costly monetarily. Napoleon then focused on obtaining colonies and land in Europe, so he sold Louisiana to the United States effectively renouncing to having those colonies half a world away. -
The Napoleonic Code
The Napoleonic Code made laws that people must follow. Some European countries were impressed with this idea and used it in their own government. Like the other written laws, it limited rights of women but was fully protected under men. -
Italy Under Napoleon
France and Napoleon obtained Italy in 1799. He laws in every republic he made. The new Kingdom of Italy was founded in 1805, with Napoleon being the king of it. -
Confederation of the Rhine
Napoleon, wanted a goal of having peace in Europe. His plans did not succeed. To resolve his issue, he created what was known as the "Confederation of the Rhine" in 1806. It was made to alert and aware Napoleon of any future attacks from his enemies. It was used as a first line of defense so that it wouldn't affect Napoleon since the front lines (the other countries) were fighting for him. -
The Spanish Conflict
The economic struggles Spain was going through made it easier for Napoleon and France to acquire them. Since Portugal disobeyed Napoleon about trading with his enemies, Spain allowed Napoleon's army to cut through them and attach Portugal. The Spanish citizens were not fond of this idea. After everything that happened, Napoleon forced his way into Spain's government to make his brother Ferdinand VII the King of Spain. -
Invasion of Russia
Before he was going to invade Russia, he didn't listen to advice people gave him, so he just prepared his military for it. Napoleon wanted allies, so he freed Poland from the hands of Russia to have support. Russia was not well prepared for this invasion which they had a lack of supplies to help them win. Even though Napoleon was winning the war, they had gotten sick and fell short on their own supplies to survive this war, so they headed back to Paris. -
France's Loss
Following the Loss they had against Russia, France's "forced" allies wanted to sperate from his Empire. They teamed up with each other to form a Coalition against France. Napoleon knew he couldn't defeat them, so he wanted to fall back and create a new country against enemies. Napoleon's enemies noticed the weakness he had and so they stormed to Paris and battled till the French surrendered. Soon after, Napoleon got his power taken from him. -
Battle of Waterloo
June 18, 1815
The Battle of Waterloo was the final battle of the French Revolution and it was the last battle Napoleon Boneparte ever fought in. The Battle of Waterloo was fought in present day Belgium. Napoleon’s French forces were outnumbered by the combined armies of the English and the Prussians, led by British officer the Duke of Wellington. When Napoleon was defeated, the French throne was once again given to King Louis XVIII.