French Revolution Timeline Project by KEVIN CAI

Louis XVI Summons the Estates General(May 5, 1789)

kcai26 — 2025-01-27 18:35:50 UTC

After the American Revolution, France was in Financial ruin. Louis the XVI, seeking a solution, called upon the Estates General for the first time since 1614. Because the votes weren't proportional to the population, the 3rd estate, having over 95% of the population, felt unrepresented, and their grievances were largely ignored. This tension soon led to the creation of the National Assembly.

Creation of the National Assembly(June 17, 1789) & The Tennis Court Oath(June 20, 1789)

kcai26 — 2025-01-27 18:37:05 UTC

Storming of the Bastille(July 14, 1789)

kcai26 — 2025-01-27 18:37:32 UTC

Abolition of Feudalism(August 4, 1789)

kcai26 — 2025-01-27 18:37:53 UTC

Deccreed by the National Assembly, this eliminated titles of nobility and freed the peasants from their lords. However, many lords and landowners demanded their former peasants to repay large sums of money, which led to more issues. This was one of the main successes of the National Assembly.

Declaration of The Rights of Man & Citizen(August 20-26, 1789)

kcai26 — 2025-01-27 18:38:49 UTC

The Declaration of The Rights of Man and Citizen outlined key enlightenment ideas and served as a preamble to the French Constitution. Natural rights, separation of powers, freedom of expression, and justice under the law were key ideas.

The Women's March/October March(October 5-6, 1789)

kcai26 — 2025-01-27 18:39:18 UTC

The People(specifically the women), starving after a famine, marched to the King's palace in Versailles on women's day, demanding he fix the price of bread. Threatened, the King was forced to return with the people back to Paris. This marked a full transition from the power of the Monarchy to the people.

Royal Flight to Varennes(June 20-21, 1791)

kcai26 — 2025-01-27 18:39:54 UTC

Arrest, Trial, & Execution of King Louis XVI(December 1792-January 1793)

kcai26 — 2025-01-27 18:41:27 UTC

Following the storming of the Tuileries Palace, the King and his family were arrested and sent to Temple Prison, Louis XVI, tried as "Citizen Capet," was charged and convicted with numerous crimes of treason and conspiring with other nations against the revolution. He was executed by Gulliotiene, beginning the First French Republic, and the Reign of Terror.

Reign of Terror and Robbespierre(September 1793-July 1794)

kcai26 — 2025-01-27 18:42:54 UTC

It was a period of extremest revolutionary ideas, headed by Robespierre, the Jacobin party, and the "Committee of Public Saftey," which saw any dissent against the revolution be silenced forcibly. Around 17,000 were sent to the Guillotine during his time.

Napoleon's Italian Campaigns(1796-1797)

kcai26 — 2025-01-27 18:44:00 UTC

During the First Coalition, Napoleon was put in charge of a small army to lead the Italian Campaign. Displaying his military brilliance, motivating his men, and liberating Italian cities, he moved to Austria and forced them to make peace, all while the two armies in the north struggled. He oversaw negations himself and gave France more southern territory.

Napoleon's Invasion of Egypt(May 1798-August 1799)

kcai26 — 2025-01-27 18:44:43 UTC

Napoleon led a campaign in Eygpt, seeking to end British Influence in the area and cut off their access to their valuable Indian Colonies. After initial success however, his fleet was destroyed and he was forced to abandon his army and return to France

Coup of 18th Brumaire(November 9-10, 1799)

kcai26 — 2025-01-27 18:45:08 UTC

Napoleon Crowned as Emperor(December 2, 1804)

kcai26 — 2025-01-27 18:45:32 UTC

Battle of Trafalgar(October 21, 1805)

kcai26 — 2025-01-27 18:46:01 UTC

Preparing to invade Britain, Napoleon sold Louisiana to the U.S., then combined both the French and Spanish Navy on the west of Spain. However, Admiral Nelson engaged the fleet, and France and Spain were soundly defeated. This loss would prevent Napoleon from ever invading the British homeland, and they had complete naval superiority.

Battle of Austerlitz(December 2, 1805)

kcai26 — 2025-01-27 18:46:25 UTC

One of Napoleon's greatest displays of genius, He faced both the Russian and Austrian forces. Outnumbered, he split the two armies, and crushed both, forcing the Austrians to sue for peace. This victory led to the dissolvement of the Holy Roman Empire and the Creation of The Confederation of the Rhine.

Napoleon's Invasion of Russia(June-December 1812)

kcai26 — 2025-01-27 18:46:54 UTC

Congress of Vienna(September 1814-June 1815)

kcai26 — 2025-01-27 18:47:26 UTC

After Napoleon's fall, The nations came together to try to restabilize Europe. New borders were drawn, Poland, as well as Germany, was created, Switzerland declared strict neutrality in all wars, and Prussia, and Italy, gained lands. Belgium was acquired by the Netherlands. The goal was to maintain peace after years of Napoleonic Wars, and they achieved that goal somewhat until WWI.

Napoleon's Exile(April 16, 1814) & 100 Days(March-June 1815)

kcai26 — 2025-01-27 18:48:23 UTC

After He was forced to Abdicate, Napoleon was exiled to the small island of Elba, becoming its ruler. However, not long after he would try to return, bringing a few men and regaining control of the french army, then the government. One last Coalition was formed to take him out, and Napoleon had one last campaign, ending at Waterloo.

Battle of Waterloo(June 18, 1815)

kcai26 — 2025-01-27 18:48:48 UTC

Napoleon's Exile(October 1815) & Death(May 5, 1821)

kcai26 — 2025-01-27 18:49:24 UTC

After his defeat at Waterloo, He was exiled to St Helena, a small island in the South Atlantic. He spent his time reading, writing memours, and had very little social interaction. As he became more and more depressed, his health also began to deteriorate, and Napoleon Bonaparte passed at the age of 51 in 1821

Haitian Revolution & War of Independence(1791-1804)

kcai26 — 2025-02-01 00:54:35 UTC

Inspired by the French Revolution, slaves on the island of Haiti revolted, led by Toussaint Louuerture. After many years of Revolution, Napoleon finally gave up and Haiti became the second republic in the Western Hemisphere