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France was considered the most advanced country of Europe.
France had a large population and a prosperous foreign trade. It was the center of the enlightenment. -
The old regime
The social and political system of France. The people of France were divided into three sections (estates). -
Period: to
Frances government went into debt
This debt was partially from the extravagant spending of Louis XVI and his queen, Marie Antoinette. -
Economy decline
Heavy taxes and harsh living conditions. -
Bankers refused to lend the government money
This led to Louis facing problems. -
Bread price rose
Many people faced starvation. -
Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen
"The document stated that “men are born and remain free and equal in rights.” These rights included “liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.” The document also guaranteed citizens equal justice, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion." -
Estates general meeting
Went over the new taxes. -
National Assembly
The third estate voted to establish the National Assembly, in effect proclaiming the end of absolute monarchy and the beginning of representative. -
Tennis Court Oath
The third estate was locked out of their meeting room. They broke down a door to an indoor tennis court, pledging to stay until they had drawn up a new constitution. -
Storming Bastille
"A mob searching for gunpowder and arms stormed the prison. The mob overwhelmed the guard and seized control of the building. The attackers hacked the prison commander and several guards to death, and then paraded around the streets with the dead men’s heads on pikes." -
Legislative Assembly
A body that had the power to create laws and approve or reject declarations of war. Was created when the National Assembly completed the new constitution. -
Louis XVI attempts to flee france
Louis tried to escape from France to the Austrian Netherlands. As his family neared the border they were apprehended and returned to Paris under guard. His escape increased the influence of his radical enemies in the government and sealed his fate. -
Period: to
Reign of Terror
The period of time when Robespierre governed France virtually as a dictator. -
Execution of Louis XVI
Louis XVI was found guilty of treason and condemned to death. -
Establishment of 3 consuls
Three people one of which was Napoleon. This took place of the Directory. Napoleon's men surrounded the national legislature and drove out most of its members. The ones who remained decided to dissolve the directory. -
Concordat of 1801
An agreement that Napoleon signed for both the clergy and many peasants because they wanted to restore the position of the Church in France. This agreement gained Napoleon the support of the organized Church and most of the French people. -
Sale of Louisiana to US
Napoleon failed his expedition to Saint Domingue so he decided to cut his losses in the Americas. This made Napoleon offer to sell all of the Louisiana Territory to the United States. Then the administration of Thomas Jefferson agreed to purchase the land for $15 million. -
Continental System
A blockade that Napoleon set up to prevent all trade and communication between Great Britain and other European nations. This policy was supposed to make continental Europe more self-sufficient. -
Invasion of Russia
Napoleon marched into Russia. There was fighting and then the Russians fell back which allowed Napoleon to move to Moscow. Moscow was in flames. -
Exile to Elba
Napoleon wanted to continue his fight towards Paris, but the generals refused. Napoleon then surrendered and gave up the throne. This led napoleon to be exiled. -
Exile to Helena
Napoleon was defeated in Waterloo which led to his last bit of power (hundred days). Then the British shipped Napoleon to a remote island in the South Atlantic. -
100 Days
Napoleon's last bit of power.