The French Revolution

Reign of Terror

The Reign of Terror was a period of France's greatest violence and bloodshed from the year of 1793 to the year of 1794. Many people died by the guillotine's blade. The Reign of Terror ended when Robespierre's execution.

The Tennis Court Oath

The Third Estate vowed to never rest until France
had a constitution that guaranteed equal rights to all citizens. The Third Estate brought up majority of the French population but they had the least power. They had no representation in their society.

The Storming of the Bastille

The Bastille was a huge castle-like prison. It was also a very much hated place and French symbol of tyranny. The day when the angry mob had stormed the Bastille, that day is known Bastille Day and the beginning of the French Revolution.

The Rise and Rule of Napoleon

Napoleon was very well known for his military skills. As a boy, he attended a military school. He quickly rose up in rank in the French army. He wasn't French though. And when he conquered different parts of Europe, he would place one of his relatives in charge.

The Congress of Vienna

The meeting of where rulers of Europe came together
to discuss how countries will be ruled after the defeat Napoleon. When Napoleon was exiled, all his relatives were also removed from power. The Congress of Vienna lasted from November, 1814 to June, 1815.

The Execution of King Louis and his wife

King Louis was executed for treason against France. His crime was that he and the Royal Family had tried flee out of the country. They were so close to making it out of France when they were recognized, arrested and then were brought back to Paris.

Even though she had no intention to rule, the French people felt threatened by her. King Louis wife, Marie, was falsely accused of abusing her son. Also she was wrongly accused of saying let the people starve.

The Enlightenment

The Enlightenment was a time period of intellectual ferment in European history. It lasted from the year 1680 to the year 1790. So roughly more than a century. This is when people in society began to think for themselves other than listening to what their Church leaders told them.

The Impact of the American Revolution

The French gladly agreed to help the colonists rebel against the British. They supplied them with funds and weapons. However, this action had drained the French Treasury, which eventually leads to the Burden of Heavy Taxes.

The Burden of Heavy Taxes

The Third Estate brought up more than majority of the French population. Even though they were great in number, none of them had any representation in their society. And the upper classes didn't have to pay taxes, so the burden mosty fell on the Third Estate, who hardly had nothing.