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Storming of The Bastille
Who: The people of Paris, including workers, craftsmen, and revolutionaries
What: The storming of the Bastille was an attack on the Bastille, a state prison and symbol of royal oppression
Where: The Bastille was located in Paris, France
Why: The storming was a response to a number of social, economic, and political crises, including the dismissal of Jacques Necker, the king's popular finance minister, and rumors that the king was gathering troops to suppress the National Assembly -
Meeting With Estates General
Who
The meeting was attended by representatives from the three estates of France: the clergy (First Estate), the nobility (Second Estate), and the commoners (Third Estate).
What
The meeting was called by King Louis XVI to discuss the country's financial problems and propose solutions.
Where
The meeting took place at the Menus-Plaisirs building in Versailles.
Why
The meeting was called due to the growing political dissent and instability in France. -
Tennis Court Oath
Who
The deputies of the Third Estate, which represented the commoners and lower clergy
What
Swore an oath to not separate until a written constitution was established
Where
The Royal Tennis Court in Versailles, France
Why
In defiance of King Louis XVI's order to disperse, and to challenge the king's power by claiming the authority to construct a constitutional government -
Declaration of the Rights of Man
Who
Drafted by members of the National Assembly, including Marquis de Lafayette, Thomas Jefferson, and Abbé Sieyès
What
A document that established the ideas of equality under the law, natural rights, and the separation of powers
Where
France
Why
To establish a nation of free individuals protected equally by the law -
Women's March on Versailles
Who
Women and men from Paris
What
A march on Versailles to demand better provisioning, the return of the royal family, and constitutional reform
Where
From the marketplaces of Paris to the Palace of Versailles
Why
In response to the high price of bread, anti-revolutionary actions by the king's soldiers, and conspiracy theories about the king and his ministers -
Execution of King Louis XVI
Who: Louis XVI, the last king of France before the French Revolution
What: Louis XVI was publicly beheaded by guillotine
Where: The execution took place at the Place de la Révolution in Paris
Why: Louis XVI was found guilty of treason and condemned to death for his unwillingness to give up his royal power to the Revolutionary government -
Period: to
Reign of Terror
Who: The Reign of Terror was led by Maximilien Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety.
What: The Reign of Terror was a period of state-sanctioned violence against people suspected of opposing the Revolution.
Where: The Reign of Terror took place in France.
Why: The Reign of Terror was a response to paranoia that enemies were working to destroy the Revolution. It was also a result of conflict between the Girondins (moderate republicans) and the Jacobins (radical republicans). -
Maximilien Robespierre Execution
Soldiers stormed the Hotel de Ville where Robespierre was staying because he had become power hungry and a tyrant. Many of his followers were also executed alongside Robespierre. -
Napoleonic Code Established
A civil law in France that was created to replace old French laws. It was created by Napoleon Bonaparte to unify France. -
Napoleon Crowns Himself Emperor
According to sources, Napoleon was to be crowned by Pope Pius VII in order to gain prestige and secure his position in France. However, he snatched the crown from the pope and crowned himself. -
Period: to
Peninsular War
A war fought between Spain and the United Kingdom against the French. Tensions rose and eventually led to war due to Portugal's defiance of Napoleon's band on trade with Britain. The war ended when Napoleon was sent to Elba. -
Napoleon Marched Men into Russia
Napoleon wanted to beat Russia forces and flee the country. However, with his supplies cut short he was forced to retreat prematurely. -
Napoleon is Exiled to Elba
Napoleon was captured in the Peninsular War. The coalition sentenced him to exile on the Island of Elba. -
Napoleon Dies
Although no one truly knows the cause of his death, Napoleon Bonaparte died in captivity on St. Helena island.