The document provides a timeline of key events during the French Revolution from the 1770s to 1821. It summarizes the major political and social upheavals, including the storming of the Bastille, the Reign of Terror under Robespierre, the rise and fall of Napoleon, and the post-Napoleon reordering of Europe at the Congress of Vienna. Key revolutionary institutions like the National Assembly and developments like the Declaration of the Rights of Man are also outlined.

1. French Revolution Timeline
ALL THE GOOD STUFF IN ORDER!

2. 1770’s
 Even though France was
the center of
Enlightenment
ideas, they’re still stuck
in the Old Regime
which includes the
estates system.
 Louis XVI becomes king
(1774).

3. 1789
 Bad weather has effected crops, the price of bread has
doubled.
 The government is in debt from Louis XVI’s spending.
 The Estates – General is called to approve tax reform.
 Third Estate breaks off and creates the National
Assembly. They take the Tennis Court Oath.
 On July 14 they storm the Bastille.
 The Great Fear spreads through out France, and
women march to Paris demanding bread.
 The Declaration of the Rights of Man is written.

4. 1790 - 1791
 State controls the church
and seizes their lands.
 Louis XVI and his family
attempt to escape France.
 National Assembly creates
a limited constitutional
monarchy.
 National Assembly creates
the Legislative
Assembly that has the
power to create laws or
prevent the king from
declaring war.

5. 1792
 War with Austria.
 National Convention
takes over – it is voted to
get rid of the monarchy
and create a new
constitution for France.
 The radical phase of the
revolution is beginning.

6. 1793 - 1794
 Louis XVI is put on trial by
the National Convention.
They find him guilty and
execute him by guillotine.
 National Convention creates
the Committee of Public
Safety run by Maximilien
Robespierre to deal with
food shortages and make
France safe for democracy.
 The Reign of Terror begins
and last until 1794 under
Robespierre’s rule.
Approximately 40,000 people
are killed.
 Marie Antoinette is executed
by guillotine.

7. Moderates Take Over
 After Robespierre’s execution most people in France
no longer wanted revolution.
 Many of the issues of the revolution were still not
resolved, such as food shortages.
 A group of moderates took over in 1795 and wrote a
new constitution.
 The new government was made up of a group of five
men known as the Directory. They were supposed
to share the power evenly, but they were very
corrupt.

8. 1795 - 1799
 The Directory holds
power, but they’re weak.
They’re facing growing
discontent amongst the
people.
 They appointed a man
named Napoleon to be
commander of the
military. He is very
popular and well liked by
most of France.

9. Important Vocabulary
 National Assembly – a group of representatives
from the Third Estate that formed their own group in
protest of the Estates-General.
 Legislative Assembly – a group of representatives
that decided if and when the king could declare war
and if laws were allowed to pass (this was part of the
limited and constitutional monarchy).
 Limited Monarchy – when the king is still in
power but his power is controlled by the constitution
and Legislative Assembly

10. 1799 - 1804
 In a coup d’etat Napoleon overthrows the Directory
and becomes one of three consuls to rule France.
 A plebiscite is taken in which the people support
Napoleon’s constitution which gives all the power to
Napoleon.
 Napoleon creates his Napoleonic Code which
makes changes to
government, education, society, and the economy.
 Concordat between Napoleon and the Pope is
signed.
 Napoleon crowns himself emperor of France.

11. 1804 - 1812
 Napoleon’s conquests/expansion of the French
empire take place.
 Continental System is put into place, which leads
to the Peninsular War and Napoleon’s failed
invasion of Russia.
 Due to Russia’s use of scorched earth policy
Napoleon’s troops are greatly weakened.
 Napoleon and his diminished troops return to Paris.
The Third Coalition notices how weak Napoleon
has become.

12. 1814 - 1821
 1814 – Paris falls to Third Coalition troops.
Napoleon is exiled to Elba.
 1815 – Napoleon escapes from Elba and Louis XVIII
flees France. The Hundred Days begins and ends
when Napoleon loses the Battle of Waterloo
against the Third Coalition forces.
 1815 – 1821 – Napoleon is banished to St. Helena
and lives out the rest of his life there.

13. Congress of Vienna (1814 – 1815)
 After Napoleon’s 2nd banishment the Congress of
Vienna met to peacefully re-order Europe.
 Klemens von Metternich the minister from
Austria came in with very strong views about
legitimacy (the belief that monarchs had the right
to rule and should be returned to their thrones) and
that the powers in Europe should be balanced.
 The lands France conquered were returned, most
monarchs were put back into place and an alliance
system was formed that remained in place until
World War I.

14. What should you know for the test?
 Vocabulary!
 Know the causes behind major events and what
happened.
 Knowledge of specific dates isn’t needed, but order of
major events is.
 Study vocabulary from your unit outline and look at
the objectives you should know. All the information
you are being tested on comes from your notes.
 Remember all PowerPoints are available on the wiki.