-
Storming of the Bastille
The Storming of the Bastille marked the start of the French Revolution. The people of Paris attacked the prison-fortress, a symbol of royal tyranny, in search of weapons and ammunition. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
This document declared freedom, equality, and universal rights for all men, becoming a cornerstone of human rights and the French Revolution. -
Beginning of the Estates General
King Louis XVI called the Estates General, a meeting of representatives from the three estates (clergy, nobility, and commoners), to address France's financial crisis. This event led to the rise of the Third Estate. -
Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Citizen
Written by Olympe de Gouges, this document demanded equal rights for women, challenging the male-focused Declaration of 1789. -
Execution of Louis XVI
King Louis XVI was executed by guillotine after being convicted of treason during the French Revolution. -
Period: to
The Terror
A period of extreme violence during the French Revolution, led by Robespierre, where thousands were executed as "enemies of the revolution." -
Coup d'État of Thermidor
This coup overthrew Robespierre, ending the Reign of Terror and leading to a more moderate phase of the French Revolution. -
Period: to
The Directory
A five-member committee governed France during this unstable period, marked by corruption and challenges. -
Coup d'État of Brumaire
Napoleon Bonaparte staged a coup to overthrow the Directory, marking the end of the French Revolution and beginning the Consulate period. -
Period: to
The Consulate
A new form of government established by Napoleon, where he was the First Consul, consolidating his power. -
Period: to
The Empire
Napoleon declared himself Emperor, expanding French territory and implementing reforms before his first abdication. -
Battle of Austerlitz
One of Napoleon's greatest victories, where he defeated the combined Austrian and Russian armies. -
Period: to
Louis XVIII, King of France
Brother of Louis XVI; restored the Bourbon monarchy after Napoleon's fall. He ruled as a constitutional monarch during a period of political tension. -
Period: to
Congress of Vienna
A diplomatic meeting after Napoleon's defeat aiming to restore European monarchies and balance of power; it redrew the map of Europe and established the Concert of Europe. -
Period: to
Exile in Elba
Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba after his defeat in 1814, but he escaped to reclaim power for 100 days. -
Zollverein
A German customs union initiated by Prussia to promote economic unity among the German states and exclude Austria. It laid the groundwork for German unification. -
Battle of Waterloo
The final battle where Napoleon was defeated by British and Prussian forces, ending his rule as Emperor. -
Period: to
Exile in St. Helena
After his defeat at Waterloo, Napoleon was exiled to the remote island of St. Helena, where he lived until his death. -
Period: to
Spanish Liberal Biennium
A brief liberal period in Spain where a constitutional monarchy was restored. Ended by French intervention restoring absolutism under Ferdinand VII. -
Period: to
Independence of Greece
Greece fought a war of independence against the Ottoman Empire, with eventual support from Britain, France, and Russia. Recognized as an independent state in 1830. -
Death of Napoleon
Napoleon died in exile on St. Helena, possibly from stomach cancer or poisoning, marking the end of an era. -
Period: to
Charles X, King of France
Last Bourbon king of France, he attempted to restore absolute monarchy, leading to the July Revolution and his abdication. -
Independence of Belgium
Belgium declared independence from the Netherlands after the Belgian Revolution and became a neutral, constitutional monarchy. -
Period: to
Louis Philippe, King of France
Known as the "Citizen King," he came to power after the July Revolution. His reign ended with the 1848 revolution due to growing discontent. -
Revolutions of 1848 (Spring of Nations)
A wave of liberal and nationalist uprisings across Europe demanding constitutional reforms, national unification, and workers’ rights. Mostly suppressed but set long-term changes in motion. -
Period: to
France’s Second Republic
Established after the fall of Louis Philippe. It introduced universal male suffrage and ended with the rise of Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte. -
Period: to
France’s Second Empire: Napoleon III
Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte became Emperor Napoleon III, modernized France, and engaged in several foreign wars. He was defeated in the Franco-Prussian War. -
Battles of Magenta and Solferino
Key battles in the Second Italian War of Independence. French and Sardinian forces defeated Austria, advancing Italian unification.