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Major Events of the French Revolution
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Louis the XIV Calls the Estates General
France was facing national debt after fighting 4 wars. They also lose colonial possessions and the Third Estate is being taxed more than the First and Second Estate and they're mad because they're the ones doing all the work. After the General Estates met, the Third Estate decided to take action and establish their own government. On June 17th the National Assembly was formed -
Parisians Storm the Bastille
The Parisians storm the Bastille because they wanted to free the prisoners and gain fire arms and ammunition. This was important because the Parisians wanted to show the government they were capable of whatever they put their mind to. They weren't afraid of going against the government. The Storming of the Bastille to some was the start of the French Revolution. It also symbolized the fall of the monarchy. -
Writing of the Declaration of the Rights of Men
The Declaration of the Rights of Men was adopted by the National Assembly. It discussed enlightenment ideas, outlined basic freedoms held by all, and asserted the sovereignty of the people. -
Establishment of the New Constitution
The establishment of the new constitution was by the National Assembly during the French Revolution. It was created after the collapse of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Regime. -
Execution of the King and Queen/Beginning of the Reign of Terror
On January 17, 1793 Louis XIV was convicted of treason. He went to the guillotine four days later. The Reign of Terror started shortly after their deaths in July 1793 to July 1794. A lot of people were being executed under the rule of Robespierre. Robespierre died in July 1794. -
Napoleon Overthrows the Directory
Napoleon was a military general who became the dictator of France, then the emperor. He overthrew the Directory by launching a coup d' etat (stroke of state) after being dictator for 10 years. -
Napoleon Builds an Empire
Napoleon becomes emperor of France and immediately goes to war with the Second Coalition. He wants to rule all of Europe and maybe the whole world after Europe. -
Napoleon Invades Russia
Napoleon goes into Russia to invade and ends up losing. He went into Russia with 400,000+ soldiers and in the end only 10,000 survived. -
The Congress of Vienna Meets
They held a series of international meetings to secure peace across Europe. They also established a principle of maintaining a balance of power. -
Napoleon Defeated at Waterloo
Napoleon escaped Elba and took back the throne and decided to attack the British General Wellington at Waterloo. Again he was defeated and exiled to St.Helena where he dies in 1821.