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Hobbes writes Leviathan
The work concerns the structure of society and legitimate government, and is regarded as one of the earliest and most influential examples of social contract theory. -
Two Treatises of Government
The First Treatise attacks patriarchalism in the form of sentence-by-sentence refutation of Robert Filmer's Patriarcha and the Second Treatise outlines his ideas for a more civilised society based on natural rights and contract theory. -
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French and Indian War
The American name for the North American theater of the Seven Years' War. The war was fought primarily between the colonies of British America and New France, with both sides supported by military units from their parent countries of Great Britain and France. In 1756, the war escalated from a regional affair into a world-wide conflict. -
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Robespierre comes to power
A French lawyer, politician, and one of the best-known and most influential figures of the French Revolution. -
Napoleon Bonaparte comes to power
Life for him began in August of 1769. Born to Corsican aristocrat parents his beginning was founded on a hatred for the country he would later reside over. Not quite nobility, one would assume that Bonaparte’s chance to rise was somewhat slim. He spent his early years in a military school in France and was considered an outsider, because most of the other students came from rich French families. It wasn’t until the French Revolution, when France was in dire straits, that Napoleon burst onto the -
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Reign of Louis XVI
King of France and Navarre from 1774 until 1791, after which he was subsequently King of the French from 1791 to 1792, before his deposition and execution during the French Revolution. -
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American Revolutionary War
Began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Thirteen Colonies, but gradually grew into a world war between Britain on one side and the newly formed United States, France, Netherlands and Spain on the other. The main result was an American victory and European recognition of the independence of the United States, with mixed results for the other powers. -
Calling of the Estates General
First meeting since 1614 of the French Estates-General, a general assembly representing the French estates of the realm: the clergy (First Estate), the nobles (Second Estate), and the common people (Third Estate). Summoned by King Louis XVI to propose solutions to his government's financial problems, the Estates-General sat for several weeks in May and June 1789 but came to an impasse as the three estates clashed over their respective powers. It was brought to an end when many members of the Thi -
Tennis Court Oath
A pledge signed by 576 of the 577 members from the Third Estate who were locked out of a meeting of the Estates-General on 20 June 1789. -
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France experiences "The Great Fear"
Rural unrest had been present in France since the worsening grain shortage of the spring, and the grain supplies were now guarded by local militias due to rumors that bands of armed men were roaming the countryside. -
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Legislative Assembly is created
It provided the focus of political debate and revolutionary law-making between the periods of the National Constituent Assembly and of the National Convention. -
France goes to war with Austria
The French armies lacked organization and discipline, and many noble officers had emigrated. The allied Austrian and Prussian forces under Charles William Ferdinand, duke of Brunswick, quickly crossed the frontier and began to march on Paris. -
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France experience "Reign of Terror"
an increasing level of violence that the leaders lacked the ability to stop or control. Unlicensed violence had been a steadily growing part of the French Revolution, beginning with parades and protests and intensifying to blood baths on city and village streets. These violent episodes continued unchecked by the leadership, until the violence ran its course. -
Louis XVI is executed
Louis was arrested, interned in the Temple prison with his family, tried for high treason before the National Convention, found guilty by almost all (and 'not guilty' by none), and condemned to death by a slight majority. His execution made him the first victim of the Reign of Terror -
Committee of Public Safety is formed
Had the role of protecting the newly established republic against foreign attacks and internal rebellion -
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Napoleon invades Russia
A turning point during the Napoleonic Wars. It reduced the French and allied invasion forces (the Grande Armée) to a tiny fraction of their initial strength and triggered a major shift in European politics as it dramatically weakened French hegemony in Europe. -
Napoleon exiled to Elba
In the spring of 1814 Napoleon Bonaparte was forced to abdicate his throne by the allied forces of Europe (England, Prussia, Austria, and Russia) as well as malcontents in France herself (primarily royalists and people who were not royalists but still stood to gain from the reinstatement of the king). These latter were threatening civil war if Napoleon did not abdicate, and the former having captured Paris. -
Napoleon defeated at Waterloo
The defeat at Waterloo ended his rule as Emperor of the French, marking the end of his Hundred Days return from exile. -
Robespierre is executed
Louis XVI was voted guilty of conspiracy and attacks upon public safety by 691 of 749 deputies; none voted for his innocence. Four days later, 387 deputies voted for death as penalty, 334 voted for detention or a conditional death penalty, and 28 abstained or were absent. -
Louis XVI attempts to escape
a significant episode in the French Revolution during which King Louis XVI of France, his wife Marie Antoinette, and their immediate family attempted unsuccessfully to escape from Paris in order to initiate a counter-revolution. -
National Assembly composes "The Declaration of the Rights of Man."
The National Assembly drafted and instituted the "Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen". The legislation proclaimed: "Man is born and remains free and equal in rights". The declaration guaranteed equal and inalienable rights for all citizens of France, and protected those rights from any government actions or legislation.
