French Revolution timeline by CHASE GOODSON

May 4, 1789: Louis XVI Summons the Estates General

cgoodson25 — 2024-01-23 19:50:13 UTC

June 20, 1789: Tennis Court Oath

cgoodson25 — 2024-01-23 19:50:53 UTC

July 14, 1789: Storming of the Bastille

cgoodson25 — 2024-01-23 19:51:23 UTC

Fears in France arose over the concerns of the possible arrest of the new National Assembly. A crowd formed and soon turned riotous. The riot found themselves at the Bastille, a prison that symbolized the tyranny of the monarchy. The crowd broke down the gates and killed the guards before freeing the prison.

August 26, 1789: Declaration of the Rights of Man

cgoodson25 — 2024-01-23 19:51:45 UTC

With a constitution in the works by the National Assembly, the group decided first that a document outlining the rights of citizens France be established. The Declaration of the Rights and Man and Citizen was published and became the founding document for the French Republics.

January 21, 1793: Execution of Louis XVI

cgoodson25 — 2024-01-23 19:52:23 UTC

September 5, 1793-July 27, 1794: Reign of Terror

cgoodson25 — 2024-01-23 19:52:57 UTC

Under Robespierre, suspicion and paranoia in France over those who were and claimed to be part of the revolution resulted in the Reign of Terror. Anyone claimed to be anti-revolutionary was arrested and sent to the guillotine. Tens of thousands died before Robespierre himself was executed and the period over.

March 27, 1796: Napoleon's Italian Campaigns

cgoodson25 — 2024-01-23 19:53:27 UTC

June 1, 1798: Napoleon's Invasion of Egypt

cgoodson25 — 2024-01-23 19:53:51 UTC

December 2, 1804: Napoleon Crowned as Emperor

cgoodson25 — 2024-01-23 19:54:11 UTC

After establishing himself as the sole leader of France, Napoleon felt he needed to give himself legitimacy. In a "free" election, the Republican government voted to give the title of emperor to Napoleon. The move ultimately made the whole revolution redundant as another powerful rich man established himself as the leader of France.

December 2, 1805: Battle of Austerlitz

cgoodson25 — 2024-01-23 19:54:44 UTC

October 21, 1805: Battle of Trafalgar

cgoodson25 — 2024-01-23 19:55:06 UTC

When Napoleon launched his war against the coalition of European powers, he sought to defeat Britain and conquer the island. In order to do that, he needed to destroy Britain's powerful navy which would prevent any possible invasion. At Trafalgar, a combined French-Spanish navy was destroyed by the British, stopping any future invasion plans.

June 24-December 14, 1812: Napoleon's Invasion of Russia

cgoodson25 — 2024-01-23 19:55:28 UTC

After Russia began trade with Britain once again, Napoleon decided he would invade Russia in order to keep his continental system working. Despite defeating Russian armies and capturing Moscow, Napoleon was eventually forced to retreat right before winter started. During his retreat, his army starved and froze, leaving it vulnerable and easy to attack.

March 25, 1815: Congress of Vienna

cgoodson25 — 2024-01-23 19:55:43 UTC

Talk

June 18, 1815: Battle of Waterloo

cgoodson25 — 2024-01-23 19:56:00 UTC

After Napoleon returned, Europe once again came together to defeat him. Napoleon decided to attack the powers first, aiming for the British and Prussian armies in a Belgian field at Waterloo. After several days, Napoleon was eventually defeated and forced to surrender for the last time.