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Palace of Versailles built
The palace was built in 1631. Louis XIII built a hunting lodge at Versailles in 1623. His successor, Louis XIV, expanded the château into a palace that went through several expansions in phases from 1661 to 1715. -
King Louis moved the capital of France from Paris to Versailles
He wanted to make the biggest possible statement and what he ended up with was Versailles: a palace designed to glorify the French monarch by incorporating both ornate Baroque decoration that amply demonstrates his wealth and glory and the stricter rules of classicism that express his intellectual and cultural stature. -
King Louis XVI married Marie Antoinette
Her marriage with the future Louis XVI, celebrated in the Royal Chapel at Versailles on 16 May 1770, was partly the work of the Duke de Choiseul, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and one of the principal architects of the reconciliation between France and Austria. -
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French Revolution
The French Revolution began with financial crisis and popular unrest, leading to the fall of the monarchy and the rise of radical political ideologies. It ended when Napoleon took power through a coup. -
Tennis Court Oath
The members of the Third Estate, locked out of the Estates-General, swore to never separate until a new constitution was created. This oath marked the beginning of the National Assembly's resistance to the King. -
Bastille is Stormed
Parisians stormed the Bastille, a symbol of royal tyranny, in search of weapons and prisoners. The fall of the Bastille marked the beginning of the French Revolution. -
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen Written
The National Assembly declared a list of rights for all men, emphasizing liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. This document laid the foundation for a new, more democratic society in France. -
Women’s March on Versailles
Thousands of women marched to Versailles to protest food shortages and demand that King Louis XVI and his family return to Paris. The event highlighted the growing unrest and led to the royal family being brought back to Paris. -
King Louis XIV is Executed
The short length of time in which he appeared on the scaffold, and the interval of the fatal blow, no more than two minutes elapsed! Instantly the executioner lifted his head, and, amidst the flourish of trumpets, exclaimed, “Thus dies a traitor!” Some of the guards pushed forward to the scaffold, to see the royal corpse streaming with blood: they brandished their swords and vociferated – “God save the Republic! God save the nation!” -
The Reign Of Terror
The Reign of Terror, or simply the Terror (la Terreur), was a climactic period of state-sanctioned violence during the French Revolution (1789-99), which saw the public executions and mass killings of thousands of counter-revolutionary 'suspects' between September 1793 and July 1794. -
Napoleon Launches a Coup d’Etat on the Weak & Corrupt Directory
Napoleon overthrew the Directory, which was ineffective and corrupt, and replaced it with the Consulate. This event marked the rise of Napoleon’s power and the end of the French Revolution. -
Creation of the Napoleonic Code
Napoleon established the Napoleonic Code, a legal framework that reformed French law by promoting equality before the law. It became the foundation for legal systems in many countries worldwide. -
Napoleon Crowns Himself Emperor
Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of the French in a lavish ceremony. This act symbolized his consolidation of power and the end of the French Republic. -
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Napoleon as Emperor
Napoleon ruled as Emperor of the French, leading military campaigns across Europe, but his reign ended after his defeat at Waterloo. His exile marked the collapse of his empire and the restoration of the monarchy. -
Defeat in Russian Campaign
Napoleon invaded Russia, but his army was devastated by harsh winter conditions and Russian tactics. This defeat significantly weakened Napoleon’s military power and marked the beginning of his downfall. -
When Napoleon was Exiled
After his defeat, Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba in 1814, returned to power briefly in 1815, and was exiled again to Saint Helena after his final defeat. His exiles marked the end of his empire. -
Battle of Waterloo
Napoleon was decisively defeated at Waterloo by the British and Prussian forces, leading to his final abdication. This marked the end of his rule and his military career.