French Revolution and Napolean (1789-1815)

By usa1234
  • Excessive Spending and Poor Harvests Lead to a Financial Crisis in France

    Excessive Spending and Poor Harvests Lead to a Financial Crisis in France

    Years of war debt, royal luxury, and poor harvests pushed the monarchy toward bankruptcy. This crisis undermined confidence in absolutism and forced political reforms that spiraled beyond royal control.
  • The Tennis Court Oath

    The Tennis Court Oath

    Members of the Third Estate pledged to create a constitution after being excluded from political decision making. This transformed economic frustration into a direct challenge to absolute monarchy.
  • The storming of the Bastille

    The storming of the Bastille

    Parisians attacked a royal fortress to obtain weapons and assert popular power. The event symbolized the collapse of royal control in Paris.
  • The Great Fear in the countryside

    The Great Fear in the countryside

    Peasants reacted to rumors of aristocratic conspiracies by attacking noble estates. This violence pressured lawmakers to abolish feudal privileges.
  • Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen

    Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen

    The National Assembly affirmed natural rights and legal equality. These ideals justified dismantling the old regime and inspired revolutionary movements beyond France.
  • King Louis XVI calls the Estates General

    King Louis XVI calls the Estates General

    The monarchy sought approval for new taxes but instead opened a platform for political debate. The meeting exposed deep divisions in French society and weakened royal authority.
  • First and Second Estates join the National Assembly

    First and Second Estates join the National Assembly

    Clergy and nobles joining the Third Estate legitimized revolutionary claims. This unity accelerated the collapse of the old social hierarchy.
  • Constitution of 1791 establishes a constitutional monarchy

    Constitution of 1791 establishes a constitutional monarchy

    France attempted to limit royal power while preserving the monarchy. The arrangement failed due to mutual distrust between the king and revolutionaries.
  • Legislative Assembly declares war on Austria

    Legislative Assembly declares war on Austria

    Revolutionaries believed war would unite France and spread revolutionary ideals. Military threats intensified radical politics at home.
  • Execution of Louis XVI

    Execution of Louis XVI

    The king’s execution ended monarchy and escalated European opposition to revolutionary France. This act pushed the revolution toward extremism.
  • Robespierre’s Reign of Terror

    Robespierre’s Reign of Terror

    Fear of internal enemies justified mass executions. Political violence weakened revolutionary unity and public trust.
  • The Directory is installed

    The Directory is installed

    A new government sought stability after the Terror but lacked legitimacy. Its dependence on the military created opportunities for ambitious generals.
  • Napoleon’s coup d’état overthrows the Directory

    Napoleon’s coup d’état overthrows the Directory

    Napoleon used military support to seize power, promising order and reform. This marked the end of revolutionary republican government.
  • Napoleon is declared Emperor

    Napoleon is declared Emperor

    Napoleon crowned himself to legitimize authority and ensure stability. This reflected a shift from revolutionary ideals toward authoritarian rule.
  • Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo

    Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo

    Defeat ended Napoleon’s rule and closed the revolutionary era. European powers restored monarchies to prevent future upheaval.