Napoleon and the French Revolution

  • The Tennis Court Oath

    The Tennis Court Oath

    The Tennis Court Oath was an agreement between the delegates of the Third Estate that that would not disband until they wrote a new constitution for France. This resulted in not only the formation of the National Assembly who adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, but also the storming of the Bastille.
  • The Women's March on Versailles

    The Women's March on Versailles

    The Women's March on Versailles was caused in large by the financial crisis in France that happened after Napoleon was crowned Emperor. The women were so desperate for food they marched with kitchen tools.
  • The Great Fear

    The Great Fear

    The Great Fear was a mass panic that caused fear-inspired peasant uprisings and revolts. This caused the draft and adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, as the National Assembly was prompted to take drastic action to appease this fear.
  • First and Second Estates join the Third Estate in the newly formed National Assembly

    First and Second Estates join the Third Estate in the newly formed National Assembly

    Because of the Third Estate's bold declaration of the National Assembly on June 17, 1789, and the Tennis Court Oath three days later, the First and Second Estates joined the National Assembly four and five days after that. This was significant because it legitimized the National Assembly.
  • The Storming of the Bastille

    The Storming of the Bastille

    The Storming of the Bastille was caused by Parisian revolutionaries wanting to protect the National Assembly (newly formed because of the Tennis Court Oath) from a royal crackdown. They seized weapons and gunpowder from the fortress prison.
  • The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

    The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

    When the Third Estate vowed to stay together until they drafted a new French constitution, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen fit their beliefs. They adopted it in 1789 because of the Tennis Court Oath, and it played a huge role in laying the groundwork for freedom and rights.
  • The Constitution of 1791 sets up a constitutional monarchy in France

    The Constitution of 1791 sets up a constitutional monarchy in France

    This event caused France to shift from an absolute monarch to a government in which the King's power is limited by a legislative body.
    This caused the rise of Napoleon as Emperor, as it created a power vacuum of instability for Napoleon to fill.
  • Execution of Louis XVI

    Execution of Louis XVI

    Louis XVI was executed by guillotine publicly due to his treason and conspiracy with other countries. This marked the end of the monarch and resulted in the Reign of Terror.
  • Period: to

    Robespierre's Reign of Terror

    This Reign of Terror was the result of Louis XVI's execution and the escalation of the radicals. This was a period of extreme violence and mass executions. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/july-27/robespierre-overthrown-in-france
  • The Directory is installed

    The Directory is installed

    Caused by the Reign of Terror, the Directory was to create a more stable, moderate government. Unfortunately, it was found unstable due to corruption and overthrown by Napoleon. https://schoolhistory.co.uk/industrial/the-directory/
  • Napoleon crowned Emperor: poor harvests and excessive spending lead to a financial crisis in France

    Napoleon crowned Emperor: poor harvests and excessive spending lead to a financial crisis in France

    Napoleon was declared Emperor in 1804. Soon after, there was a financial crisis in France. This eventually led to the Women's March on Versailles, protesting their famine.
  • Napoleon is defeated in the Battle of Trafalgar

    Napoleon is defeated in the Battle of Trafalgar

    In the Battle of Trafalgar, the British captured 22 Franco-Spanish ships and destroyed the rest of the fleet. A major loss for Napoleon, it secured British naval supremacy and ultimately led to economic warfare through the Continental System.
  • The implementation of the Continental System.

    The implementation of the Continental System.

    The Continental System was caused in part by Napoleon's loss at the Battle of Trafalgar. Since Napoleon could not win by force, he put an economic blockade on French-controlled European nations prohibiting trade with Britain to weaken Britain's power. https://library.brown.edu/cds/napoleon/time3.html
  • Napoleon is defeated at Leipzig (Battle of the Nations)

    Napoleon is defeated at Leipzig (Battle of the Nations)

    The violent Battle of Nations resulted in Napoleon's loss against a coalition of allied armies. Napoleon's major loss was a turning point in the war, and ended French control over Germany. It set off a chain of events, leading first to Napoleon's exile to Elba. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/battle-leipzig#:~:text=The%20Battle%20of%20Leipzig%2C%20fought,Napoleon's%20eventual%20abdication%20in%201814.
  • Napoleon exiled to Elba, is declared First Consul

    Napoleon exiled to Elba, is declared First Consul

    Napoleon was exiled to a small island off Italy's coast as a result of his 1814 defeat. This was also caused by his declaration as First Consul, battles for expansion, and his eventual forced abdication of the throne. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/april-11/napoleon-exiled-to-elba