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American Revolution
1765 - 1783: Two events of the American Revolution that influenced the French Revolution were the signing of the Declaration of Independence and George Washington’s election. The Declaration of Independence was based on the idea of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness and the French followed America’s example by using the phrase Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. George Washington’s election showed France that they don’t have to be run by a monarchy but could be replaced with a democracy. -
French Revolution
1789 - 1799: Two events that caused the French Revolution were the American Revolution and the unfair treatment towards the Third Estate. The American Revolution was the example that the French used to revolt because it inspired them to fight against the monarchy. The Third Estate paid too many taxes and were mistreated by King Louis XVI because they were the they were the lowest of social classes. -
Tennis Court Oath
June 20, 1789: The Tennis Court Oath happened during the meeting of the Estates-General when the Third Estate was locked out of the meeting room. They then knocked down the door to an indoor tennis court where swore to stay until they wrote up a new constitution. Later on, members of the other estates, such as the clergy and nobles, joined the Third Estate in the National Assembly. -
Storming of Bastille
July 14, 1789: The people of France heard that King Louis XVI was going to use his military to disband the National Assembly so they gathered weapons to defend themselves. On July 14, a Paris prison, the Bastille, was mobbed overtook the building while searching for gunpowder. This symbolic event marked the beginning of the French Revolution. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
August 26, 1789: The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen was a collection of revolutionary ideas adopted by the National Assembly. This document was inspired by America’s Declaration of Independence and promised citizens justice, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. Leaders of the revolution also created their own phrase “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.” -
Toussaint L’Ouverture’s Slave Revolt
November 1, 1791: Toussaint L’Ouverture was born a free slave who liberated Haiti from France. Toussaint despised the French because he didn't believe they were treating the mulattos and mestizos with the principle “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.” He decided to change how they were being dealt with by freeing Haiti and ending slavery on the island. -
Execution of Louis XVI
January 21, 1793: In 1791, Louis XVI became aware that his position as monarch was in danger and attempted to flee the country with his wife Marie Antoinette but were caught near the border and returned back to Paris. He was forced to sign the National Assembly’s new constitution and in 1792 the National Convention took his place as the new governing body. On January 21, 1793, Louis XVI was found guilty for treason and was beheaded by a guillotine. -
The Reign of Terror
September 5 1793 - July 28, 1795: The Reign of Terror was the period of time where Maximilien Robespierre was the dictator of France. He executed people who opposed the revolution and the new government. Robespierre caused chaos and confusion throughout his country but it all ended in his death. -
Napoleon becomes Emperor of France
May 18, 1804: Napoleon Bonaparte started out as as France’s first consul and the people voted for a new constitution that gave him all real power. Napoleon set up public school, a national banking system, created the Napoleonic Code. In 1804, he made himself emperor and began trying to control more of Europe. -
Battle of Trafalgar
October 21, 1805: The Battle of Trafalgar was the first major battle where Napoleon was defeated. This naval battle was off the coast of Spain and more important than any other battle on land. The British commander Horatio Nelson destroyed and captured the French ships, which prevented Napoleon from invading Britain. -
Battle of Waterloo
June 18, 1815: The Battle of Waterloo was located in Belgium and ended Napoleon’s career as a military leader. In this battle, Napoleon was defeated by the British and Prussians because he gave inadequate orders. Very soon after his loss, Napoleon renounced his title as emperor and was exiled to the island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic. -
The Congress of Vienna
1814 - 1815: The Congress of Vienna was a series of meetings held by European leaders of government where they tried to balance power throughout Europe. They did this by weakening the French power Napoleon grew. The principle of legitimacy was put back into place and monarchs were restored to power. -
Simon Bolivar
August 1, 1819: Simon Bolivar was a Venezuelan creole who helped Venezuela gain its independence from Spain by taking Colombia’s Spanish army by surprise. Bolivar helped Jose de San Martin by defeating the Spanish at the Battle of Ayacucho in Peru. This marked the end of the Spain’s rule over the Spanish colonies in Latin America. -
Monroe Doctrine
December 2, 1823: The Monroe Doctrine was a policy created by James Monroe to make sure European countries wouldn't the Americas. This doctrine made sure Latin American nations were seen as independent. The U.S would see it as a possible threat if a European country attempted to conquer any independent nation in the Western Hemisphere.
