French Revolution Key Events Flashcards

Key Events of the French Revolution

• Storming the Bastille:

  • Occurred on July 14, 1789, amidst fears of a royal coup.
  • Citizens sought gunpowder and fought the governor, resulting in the prison's surrender.
  • Recognized as "Bastille Day," symbolizing France's Independence.

• Women's March on Versailles:

  • On October 5, 1789, Parisian women marched to Versailles demanding action on food shortages.
  • They forced King Louis XVI and the royal family to return to Paris.

• Meeting of the Estates General:

  • Convened on May 5, 1789, at Versailles to address France's financial crisis.
  • Each estate had one vote; the Third Estate sought voting power for each representative.

• Formation of the National Assembly:

  • The Third Estate declared itself the only legitimate government in France.

• Tennis Court Oath:

  • A vow by National Assembly members in 1789 to continue meeting until a new constitution was created.

• Great Fear:

  • A wave of panic that spread through rural France after the Bastille's storming in 1789, reflecting fears of retaliation by the nobility.

• Declaration of the Rights of Man:

  • A statement by the National Assembly asserting fundamental political rights, including equality and access to public office based on merit, not birth.

• Civil Constitution of the Clergy:

  • Law established that bishops and priests would be elected and funded by the state, leading to significant opposition among Catholics.

• Flight of Louis XVI:

  • A failed escape attempt by King Louis XVI with his family to Austria, aiming to rally support against the revolution.

• Beheading of Louis XVI:

  • The National Convention executed King Louis XVI by guillotine, marking a key turning point in the revolution.

• Invasion of France by Austria:

  • Austria invaded France to reinstate King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

• Reign of Terror:

  • From 1793 to 1794, a period marked by mass executions of perceived enemies of the revolution, driven by paranoia and political turmoil.

• Napoleon's Seizure of Power:

  • A coup d'état led by Napoleon Bonaparte involved the overthrow of the Directory, establishing his authority.

• Battle of Trafalgar:

  • British Admiral Nelson defeated the combined French and Spanish fleets, preventing further French naval ambitions.

• Invasion of Russia:

  • Napoleon's catastrophic campaign resulted in a disastrous retreat due to the harsh winter and scorched earth tactics employed by the Russians.

• Exile to Elba:

  • Following his failure in Russia, Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba.

• Exile to St. Helena:

  • After his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon was sent to St. Helena, where he eventually died.

• Battle of Waterloo:

  • Site of Napoleon's final defeat in 1815 by British and Prussian forces, ending his rule.

• Congress of Vienna:

  • Convened from 1814 to 1815 to restore Europe’s political order post-Napoleon, promoting monarchic stability.

• September Massacres:

  • Following Louis XVI's imprisonment, paranoid citizens slaughtered prisoners suspected of counter-revolutionary plotting during a summer panic.

• French and Indian War:

  • A conflict (1754-1763) between England and France over North American territories, resulting in British victory.

• American Revolution:

  • The 1776 revolution by American colonists seeking a balance of power between people and government, leading to the Declaration of Independence.