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Enlightenment Thinkers
The Enlightenment Thinkers were the ones to sprout the Enlightenment. Their contributions led to changes for the government forever. People all over the world started hearing of these happenings and thought that they should take part too. This resulted in the people having natural rights, as well as more freedom. -
Death of King Louis XIV
King Louis XIV died after being infected with the gangrene disease. This is caused when one does not have enough blood flow and/or supply. With a reign of 72 years, he was longer than any other European monarch. He changed many things for all of his people then, and now. After his passing, Louis XV took over the throne. http://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/history/key-dates/death-louis-xiv-1715 -
Estates- General Meets
There was an assembly for each estate, the first, second and third. The Estates General was called to meet after King Louis XVI planned on taxing the nobility. This made the second estate enraged, because they were the ones that would have to pay the new taxes. The third estate was often outvoted, and paid the vast majority of taxes for France, but also earned less money than both of the other estates.
http://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/history/key-dates/summoning-estates-general-1789 -
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French Revolution
The French Revolution was a time of hardship for France. The people were trying to change the government, and their ultimate goal was to get liberty, equality, and fraternity. The French citizens were over the idea of an absolute monarchy, and they wanted more freedom. King Louis XVI needed more money, so he decided to tax the nobility. Obviously, they were opposed to this. -
Tennis Court Oath Taken
The three estates had a meeting hall to get together, and talk about the surrounding issues and concerns. There was a meeting called, but the third estate was not allowed in. The first and second estates had locked them out. After countless times of feeling overlooked, the third estate decided to do something about it. The estate raided an abandoned tennis court, and refused to leave until a more fair, equal constitution was developed.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Tennis-Court-Oath -
Storming of the Bastille
The Bastille was a prison in Paris, France. Within the prison, there were defense tools that would not be found anywhere else nearby. In search for protection, people decided to storm the prison, to get the weapons. At this time, fights broke out and buildings were collapsing. The governor was one of the first killed, after refusing to pass over the materials. This unofficially marked the start of the revolution.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/french-revolutionaries-storm-bastille -
Beginning of the Great Fear
King Louis XVI was afraid for himself. His recent decisions had made his followers unhappy, and they had started a revolt. For protection, he hired the Swiss Guard, but others believed that the Guard was out to kill them. The third estate ended up killing many members in the second estate. This resulted in the Great Fear.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Great-Fear -
Publication of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
Inspired by the Declaration of Independence in the United States, those in France proposed the Declaration of Man and Citizen. They were looking for “liberte, egalite, fraternite” or freedom, equality, and brotherhood. Also, the idea of the government's role being to protect the rights of citizens was strongly voiced.This Declaration was later published by the legislative bodies of France.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Declaration-of-the-Rights-of-Man-and-of-the-Citizen -
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Haitian Revolution
The Haitian Revolution was started by ex-slaves, free blacks, and runaway slaves. After hearing about equality in other places of the world, they decided to take a stand. Sugar, the greatest source of income for the island, was burned away. To fight back, whites killed off thousands of slaves. -
Slaves rise up on northern plantations of St. Domingue
Ex and runaway slaves along with free blacks decided a revolt in St. Domingue. Of the 500,000 people revolting, hundreds were killed by whites scared for their lives and in an attempt to stop the spread. St. Domingue was most wealthy because of its production of sugar, but these farms were burned down by those revolting. Many people lost their homes during this time, and it is considered the start of the Haitian Revolution.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Haitian-Revolution -
Publication of Vindication of the Rights of Women
Mary Wollstonecraft is responsible for the writing of Vindication of the Rights of Women. Her goal with this piece was to bring attention to the fact that women are treated significantly worse than men, and that this should change. She proposed the idea of women getting an education, but still working to please their husbands and take care of their children.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/A-Vindication-of-the-Rights-of-Woman -
Spain declares war against England and later France for control of St. Domingue
England and Spain both saw the wealth in St. Domingue, and wanted it for themselves. But, soon after France also decided that they wanted some of this land. France outlawed slavery, and gained many more followers. Not long after, Spain signed a treaty, and was out of this war. But, this left Enland and France, but England was later kicked off of the land. This led to the War of Knives between two French men, in which L’Ouverture won control.
http://bit.ly/3jNhe2g -
King Louis XVI executed by guillotine
Knowing a bad future was to come, King Louis XVI took Mary Antoinette, along with their children to escape. They disguised themselves and got far, but were exposed and captured when someone recognized the King. After being brought back to Paris, he was executed when being accused as a traitor to the revolution. He was found incapable of carrying out a constitutional monarchy. The family was put in jail, and later executed.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/king-louis-xvi-executed -
Reign of Terror Begins
The Reign of Terror led to thousands of French citizens being executed. They were considered “enemies of the revolution,” for no known or proven reason. This was the time or Robespierres rule, and he thought that this was necessary for the development of France and the revolution. He was later arrested and executed.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Reign-of-Terror -
Slavery is outlawed in the French colonies, including St. Domingue
The French republic abolished slavery in the French colonies. St. Domingue also outlawed this, and became more independent. Not long after, Napoleon brought this back, as well as the slave trade. By keeping slavery in tact, the revolutions and rebellions would never stop. People wanted their lives back, and rioting ruined the colony. St. Domingue even made its land only owned by blacks. https://thelouvertureproject.org/index.php?title=Slavery_in_Saint-Domingue -
Execution of Robespierre
Throughout his reign, Maximellen Robespierre had a lot of backlash for his thoughts and morals. He would kill those speaking against him, and this later caught up with him. He executed over 16,000 others. After the people had enough of his actions, he was arrested. Not long thereafter, he was executed by guillotine.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Maximilien-Robespierre/The-Committee-of-Public-Safety-and-the-Reign-of-Terror#ref6232 -
The Directory takes control of France
This group took over controlling France, and overcame the many challenges France faced. They set up better schools, helped the French economy recover from King Louis, and made peace with Spain and Prussia. Though these connections were formed, the war with Austria and England continued. But, these people could not do everything, so they looked to Napoleon Bonaparte for help, but he had other plans.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Directory-French-history -
War of Knives begins for control of St. Domingue
The War of Knives was between L’Ouverture of Spain, and Rigaud of France. Both wanted control of the wealthy, resourceful island. L’Ouverture collected a weaker army of former slaves, while Riguad called for the more educated, wealthier former slaves.Because he couldn’t do it with the army he forced, L’Ouverture defeated Riguad and his troops, with help from the English. This lead Riguad into exile, the inability to his native land.
https://thelouvertureproject.org/index.php?title=War_of_Knives -
New constitution in France put up for a vote, declares revolution over
Napolean and his crew moved to France to help them gain a better leadership. A constitution was written, originally by Sieyes. By writing this, he was also attempting to limit the power that Napoleon had. But, Napoleon later made a new constitution, that was voted in by the popular vote. This called for Separation of Powers, and there was no Declaration of Independence. This document was the final call to end the revolution, and get things back on track.
http://bit.ly/375Jmbx -
L’Ouverture proclaims a new constitution in St. Domingue and is declared Governor for Life
After winning the war for St. Domingue, L’Ouverture wanted to make some changes. He established a new constitution, outlawing slavery and voodoo.People were all provided with equal rights, and L’Ouverture was made the leader of St. Domingue for life.This constitution that was meant to create more peace, really erupted in another rebellion, because the people were opposed to L'Ouverture being leader for life.
https://thelouvertureproject.org/index.php?title=Haitian_Constitution_of_1801_(English) -
Dessalines creates the flag of Haiti
The first Haitian flag was based off of the flag of France. Jean-Jacques Dessalines is said to have taken one of France’s flags, ripping up the white stripe, and sewing together the red and blue squares. But, it is possible that these colors were chosen to represent Ogou, the Vodun God of war.
https://restavekfreedom.org/2019/04/04/the-history-of-the-haitian-flag/#:~:text=Haiti's%20very%20first%20flag%20as,make%20the%20first%20Haitian%20flag. -
Dessalines proclaims Haiti’s independence
L’Ouverture was later captured, and slavery was abolished. People now all had natural rights, and became the first independent nation of former slaves. White people could not own this land at all, and no European nations would trade with the island, because they were not sure of what the outcomes may be. Through this all, the Haitian economy was declining, and it took decades to pay off the debt.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jean-Jacques-Dessalines -
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Revolutions of Latin and South America
The people in Latin and South America wanted independence from Spain. In 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo began to do something about it. But, he did not get very far. Before too much progress was made, he was executed after his followers discovered his true beliefs. -
Mexico declares independence from Spain
In 1810, the push for independence was initiated. After the others found that this push was also intended to end slavery. Both Father Miguel Hidalgo and Jose Morelos were shot for their beliefs, before they had accomplished their goals. The Mexican War of Independence, led by Miguel Hidalgo led to Mexico’s true independence.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mexican-war-of-independence-begins -
Simon Bolivar arrives at Merida, Venezuela
Simon Bolivar spent his time driving the Spanish out of different countries. After failed attempts of getting rid of the Spanish in his home of Venezuela, he had to flee to Haiti, twice. But, after multiple attempts, he reached his goal. After continuing onto more countries, Simon earned the nickname, “The Liberator.”
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Simon-Bolivar -
Battle of Chacabuco
Jose Miguel went against Bernardo O’Higgins and San Martin, and his brother Juan Jose Carrera. About 2,000 people were lost from O’Higgins’ journey over the Andes. After fighting back and forth, San Martin was elected governor of Santiago, and named liberator of Chile. But, Martin did not take the spot as governor, keeping O’Higgins in mind. Though, later his army was defeated.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Chacabuco -
Battle of Boyaca
This battle was between the South American insurgents and the Spanish forces. This was one of the many wars for independence. This battle continued for six hours, and once the insurgents won, the Spanish were arrested. This resulted in New Granda being set free from Spanish control. This led to other battles for independence in other parts of France.
https://www.colombia.co/en/colombia-country/history/the-battle-of-boyaca-the-decisive-feat-for-colombian-independence/ -
Peru declares independence
The Spanish forces were very strong, and San Martin could not beat them alone. He called for Simon Bolivar, but he declined and stayed out of it. After seeing the success from the others that had gone separate ways from the Spanish, Peru wanted to join in too.
https://www.britannica.com/place/Peru/Achievement-of-independence -
Gran Columbia formed
After the new Fundamental Law of the Republic of Columbia, the Gran Columbia was formed. Though this was established in 1819, it was not solidified until the Congress of Cucta enforced this. This did not last long though, as it was dissolved about 10 years later.
https://www.britannica.com/place/Gran-Colombia
