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Declaration of Independence
Political Event
The Declaration of Independence was made by the second American Continental Congress. Declaration of Independence declared the freedom and independence of the thirteen colonies from Great Britain. -
Crop Failure
Economic Event
Bad weather led to large crop failures and bad harvests. The crop failures led to a shortage of grain. The shortage of grain caused the price of bread to double and many people starved. -
Meeting of the Estates-General
Economic Event
The Meeting of the Estates-General was a meeting of all three estates at Versailles. -
Tennis Court Oath
Political Event
The doors to the Estates-General are locked. The third estate meets on the tennis court. They pledge not to leave until they have a new constitution. This is known as the tennis court oath. -
Storming of the Bastille
Political Event
A mob stormed the Bastille, a Paris prison. The mob seized control of the building and killed several guards. This was an Act of Revolution for the French people. -
National Assembly is Established
Political Event
Delegates from the Third Estate voted to establish the National Assembly and proclaimed an end to absolute monarchy. This vote was the first intentional act of revolution. -
The Declaration of the Rights of Women and the Female Citizen
Social Event
This was written by Olympe de Gouges a short time after the French Constitution was created that year. Gogues wrote this to speak out against male and female inequality. It asked that women be treated as citizens with rights. -
National Assembly Creates New Constitution
Political Event
The National Assembly creates a new constitution for France and makes changes to France's government. The constitution created a limited monarchy and took away much of the king's power. The constitution also created a new legislative body. -
Guillotine Is Introduced and Becomes Popular
Technoloical Event
The guillotine was a machine introduced by Dr. Joseph Ignace Guillotin. The guillotine was designed to be effective, quick, and humane. The guillotine was an important machine during this time. -
Reign of Terror
Dilplomatic/ Military Event
Sept. 5 1793 - July 24 1794 The period of time that Maximilien Robespierre ruled was called the Reign of Terror. Robespierre ruled France like a dictator. During this time any enemies of the revolution were given death sentences and sent to the guillotine. -
Marie Antoinette is Decapitated
Political Event
Marie was not popular with the people of France. She became known as Madame Deficit to the people because of her spending on jewels, gowns, gambling, and gifts. She was convicted of treason and sent to the guillotine. -
Napoleon Becomes/Crowns Himself Emperor of France
Political Event
Napoleon grabs the crown from Pope Pius VII and crowns himself. This showed that Napoleon siezed power and took it for himself. -
Battle of Trafalgar
Military Event
The battle took place off the southwest coast of Spain. This was the only major battle that Napoleon lost. This was a naval defeat and it was more important than all other battles on land. -
Continental System- Napoleon Sets up a Blockade
Diplomatic/Military Event Napoleon sets up a blockade and closes ports to stop trade and communication between Great Britain and other European nations. This system was supposed to make continental Europe self-sufficient and hurt Great Britain's commercial and industrial economy. -
Slave Trade Act 1807
Social Event
The Slave Trade Act of 1807 was passed by Parliament to end slave trade in the British West Indies. -
Combination Acts Are Repealed
Social Event
The acts which outlawed unions and strikes are repealed. The British government tolerates and allows unions after 1825. -
Abolition of Slavery in Britain
Social Event
The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 put an end to slavery in the British Empire. -
Factory Act of 1833
Social Event
The Factory Act of 1833 was passed by Parliament after their investigation of child labor and working conditions in mines and factories. This law made it illegal to hire children under 9. Children 9-12 could not work more than 8 hours a day. Young people 13-17 could not work more than 12 hours a day -
Mine Act of 1842
Social Event
The Mine Act prevented women and children from working underground in mines, -
Ten Hours Act of 1847
Social Event
The Ten Hours Act made the workday limited to ten hours for women and children working in factories. -
Emancipation Proclamation
Cultural Event
The Emancipation Proclamation was a document signed by Abraham Lincoln that freed slaves in the states that were in rebellion to the United States. -
Unions Win Right to Strike
Economic Event
British trade unions receive the right to strike and picket peacefully. The unions wanted to increase wages and improve working conditions for their members. -
Combination Acts of 1799 and 1800
Social Event
These acts outlawed unions and strikes. The government saw unions as a threat.
