French Revolution Timeline by RILYN MARTIN

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

rmartin262 — 2025-02-21 20:05:00 UTC

As a result of a severe economic crisis following France's participation in America's Revolutionary War, on May 5th, 1789 Louis XVI of France was forced to summon the Estates General, a representative assembly composed of three estates. These estates being the clergy, the nobility, and the common people. The Estates General main role was to provide advice on matters of taxation and governance. This event would inadvertently lead to the collapse of the monarchy and French Revolution.

Tennis Court Oath and the Creation of the National Assembly (June 17th, 1789)

rmartin262 — 2025-02-21 20:12:21 UTC

On June 17th, 1789 the third estate would declare themselves the National Assembly, asserting that they were the legitimate representative body of the French people. In this declaration they called for a constitutional monarchy and a government based on equal rights. On this day the National Assembly would meet in an indoor tennis court and declare that they would not disband until they had written a constitution.

Storming of the Bastille (July 14th, 1789)

rmartin262 — 2025-02-21 20:21:38 UTC

The Bastille was a fortress and state prison in Paris, many common people viewed as a symbol of monarchical oppression. On this day rumors began to spread that the king was going to use force in order to dissolve the National Assembly, and in response the common people began to organize a defense effort. A crowd of Parisians gathered outside of the Bastille hoping to negotiate with the governor of the prison. When this negotiation failed, the crowd began to attack, eventually winning and conquering the Bastille.

The Abolition of Feudalism (August 26th, 1789)

rmartin262 — 2025-02-21 20:28:45 UTC

Many consider the abolition of feudalism during the French revolution to have taken place in August of 1789, when the National Assembly passed the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, a document that declared all men were born free and with equal rights, thus laying the groundwork for a society free of feudalism.

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen (August 26th, 1789)

rmartin262 — 2025-02-21 20:36:37 UTC

A declaration created by the National Assembly in August of 1789 that rejected the idea of divine right and affirmed the principles of liberty and equality.

The Women's March (October 5th, 1789)

rmartin262 — 2025-02-21 20:45:30 UTC

On October 5th, 1789 a group largely made up of market women gathered in Paris and began an organized march toward the palace of Versailles in order to confront king Louis XVI and demand he address the widespread food shortage. It reflected the anger and frustration among the common people, as well as the indifference of the monarchy to the suffering of ordinary people.

Royal Flight to Varennes (June 20th, 1791)

rmartin262 — 2025-02-21 21:20:20 UTC

On the night of June 20th, 1791 king Louis XVI and his family attempted to escape from Paris and flee to Varennes, in an effort to seek refugee in Austria as well as to avoid the increasing unrest and revolutionary pressures in France. Jean Drouet recognized them however, and quietly alerted their presence to the authorities who had them arrested. Within a year the monarchy was abolished, and king Louis XVI was tried and executed.

Haitian Revolution and War of Independence (August 1791)

rmartin262 — 2025-02-21 21:42:16 UTC

From 1791 to 1804 this slave revolt would lead to the founding of the independent nation of Haiti, the first independent black republic and the first country to abolish slavery.

Arrest, Trial, and Execution of King Louis XVI (January 21st, 1793)

rmartin262 — 2025-02-22 04:08:23 UTC

King Louis XVI and his family were arrested after an attempt to flee Paris in June of 1791. This attempt would end in their arrest, and the abolition of the monarchy, thus making Louis XVI a citizen. Louis was accused and found guilty of high treason, leading to his eventual execution by guillotine in Paris.

Reign of Terror and Robespierre (January 1793)

rmartin262 — 2025-02-22 04:14:36 UTC

The reign of terror was a period of intense violence and political purges during the French Revolution, characterized by mass executions and the consolidation of power by radical revolutionaries. The reign of terror primarily occurred under the leadership of Maximilien Robespierre, a leading figure in the radical political club called the Jacobins.

Napoleon's Invasion of Egypt (July 1st, 1798)

rmartin262 — 2025-02-22 04:22:47 UTC

Napoleon sought to weaken Britain by cutting off its access to India, a critical part of its colonial empire and a source of wealth. Egypt was seen as the key to this plan due to it being strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as being an essential part of the route to India. While land forces achieved early successes, their failure to secure naval superiority combined with strategic difficulties ultimately led to the campaigns failure.

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

rmartin262 — 2025-02-22 04:31:21 UTC

On this day Napoleon, supported by his brother Lucien and a group of military officers, orchestrated a coup to overthrow the existing government and replace it with a more centralized authority under Napoleon. By the end of the day the Directory had been dissolved, the consulate established, and Napoleon named as First Consul. While the coup didn't immediately crown Napoleon emperor, it set him on the path to becoming the leader of France.

Napoleon's Italian Campaigns (April 10th, 1796)

rmartin262 — 2025-02-22 04:39:59 UTC

A series of military engagements that significantly shaped Napoleon's rise to power and marked a critical chapter in the French Revolution. These campaigns were fought primarily in northern Italy, where Napoleon, a young and unknown general at the time, demonstrated his military genius and secured multiple key victories against both Austrian and Sardinian forces.

Napoleon Crowned as Emperor (December 2nd, 1804)

rmartin262 — 2025-02-22 04:46:37 UTC

On this day, at the Notre-Dame cathedral, the official transition from the revolutionary ideas of a republic to an imperial system under Napoleon occurred. Pope Pius VII was present to bless the crown, but Napoleon would famously take the crown from his hands and place it atop his own head, symbolizing that his authority came from himself, not from the church or pope.

Battle of Trafalgar (October 21st, 1805)

rmartin262 — 2025-02-22 04:48:55 UTC

Battle of Austerlitz (December 2nd, 1805)

rmartin262 — 2025-02-22 04:51:01 UTC

Napoleon's Invasion of Russia (June 24th, 1812)

rmartin262 — 2025-02-22 04:53:47 UTC

Napoleon's Exile and the 100 Days

rmartin262 — 2025-02-22 05:04:01 UTC

Congress of Vienna (June 9th, 1815)

rmartin262 — 2025-02-22 05:08:57 UTC

Battle of Waterloo (June 18th, 1815)

rmartin262 — 2025-02-22 05:11:35 UTC

Napoleon's Exile and Death (May 5th, 1821)

rmartin262 — 2025-02-22 05:14:08 UTC

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