Timeline of the French and Haitian Revolutions

By ahobbs

  • Meeting of the Estates General

    This was a meeting between all three estates, eventually the lowest estate formed the National assembly in fear that the privileged classes would join together to fight the lower class. This inspired the beginning of the French Revolution.

  • Storming of Bastille

    Revolutionaries and troops storm the royal stronghold of Bastille. This signaled the beginning of the French Revolution. This revolt was the first successful revolt and signaled the end of France's old ways. This gave rebels momentum

  • Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

    The National Assembly created the declaration stating the natural and undeniable rights of the people. Rights such as freedom of speech were included in this declaration. With this list of new laws and rights, people of France could actually acknowledge personal rights.

  • March on Versailles

    The march on Versailles was a riot of a crown of women began fighting for bread to feed families because of the shortage of food. The king eventually agreed to meet and discussed the food shortage and promised to disperse the food. However this promise was not kept, this gave women power.

  • Gens De Colour demand equal rights from France

    Freemen of color demand equal rights in Santé Domingue with free whites based on the Declaration of the rights of Man and Citizen. This initiated equal rights for people of color. Seeing as the French abided by this, the people of color recognized that personal rights were for people of all skin colors and nationalities.

  • The French National Assembly granted free Blacks Full Rights in Sante Domingue

    As the blacks demanded rights, the whites denied to give them the same rights as the white colonists. Because of this, the blacks revolted. The revolt was successful and the blacks gained their rights.

  • Beheading of King Louis XIV

    Because of King Louis XIV's incredible injustices, The National Assembly put him to death. He was publically killed with a guillotine in front of France's people. The old ways of France were cast out with his death.

  • Reign of Terror

    The revolutionary government took harsh punishments to those opposed to the revolution. 17,000 people were executed and over 300,000 were prosecuted. This began to spread fear of change.

  • French Forces admit defeat to the slaves and evacuate their forces

    The French admit defeat to the slaves and evacuate their forces from Haiti. General Rochambeau surrendered and all forces were evacuated within ten days. This was a successful revolt for the Haitian people.

  • The Colony Saint Domingue is Abolished

    Dessalines proclaims independence for Haiti. This became the first black republic. This also led to the original Taine name being restored.

  • Napoleon is Emperor

    Napoleon is crowned emperor of France during the French Revolution. Napoleon is famous for being one of the greatest political leaders of France. Napoleon is also famous for being one of the best military strategists in history.