Timelines: French Revolution and Napoleon

  • King Louis XVI calls the Estates General

    King Louis XVI calls the Estates General
    King Louis XVI calls the Estates General to pass reforms after famines and crop failures leading to crises. This lead to rumors about what the government is doing.
  • The storming of the Bastille

    The storming of the Bastille
    There were rumors of an aristocratic conspiracy that lead to the Great Fear and the storming of Bastille.
  • The Legislative Assembly declares war on Austria

    The Legislative Assembly declares war on Austria
    The Estates General lead to France being more nationalistic and the war on Austria was a means of promoting national unity in having a common enemy
  • Louis XVI is executed at the guillotine

    Louis XVI is executed at the guillotine
    The failures of the war and the rising prices of every day items lead to greater discontentment towards the government and Louis XVI was trialed and executed.
  • Start Robespierre's Reign of Terror

    Start Robespierre's Reign of Terror
    France was ruled by the Girondins and the National Convention, but there was conflict with the Montagnards. They were the ones who trialed Louis XVI. This conflict and chaos allowed for the reign of terror and for Robespierre to take power.
  • Napoleon is declared Emperor

    Napoleon is declared Emperor
    Robespierre eventually fell when there started to be military victories so the public changed views, and that absence of power allowed for Napoleon’s coup and for him to rise to power.
  • Napoleon is exiled to Elba Napoleon is declared First Consul

    Napoleon is exiled to Elba Napoleon is declared First Consul
    After being declared emperor, Napoleon wages wars against other European nations, but had a terrible invasion of Russia leading to his exile to Elba.
  • Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo, Napoleon is exiled to St. Helena

    Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo, Napoleon is exiled to St. Helena
    After being exiled, Napoleon tried to regain power in his Hundred Day Campaign, but ultimately lost again, and the reign of Napoleon finally ended.