as level european history study guide

Estates General meets (5/5/89)

Called by Louis XVI to address a bankrupt treasury; a stalemate over voting methods occurs.

National Assembly formed (6/17/89)

The Third Estate declares themselves the true representatives of France, challenging the King's authority.

Tennis Court Oath (6/20/89)

Assembly vows not to leave until a written constitution is established, marking the end of absolutism.

Storming Bastille (7/14/89)

Mob of Parisians attacks the medieval fortress, symbolizing the collapse of royal despotism.

Declaration of Rights of Man (8/26/89)

Influenced by Enlightenment thought, it guarantees equality, liberty, and property.

Civil Constitution of Clergy (7/12/90)

Law that makes Catholic Church a department of the state; priests must swear loyalty to the government.

Louis XVI executed (1/21/93)

After a trial for treason, the King is guillotined, shocking Europe.

Committee of Public Safety formed (4/6/93)

Created to provide leadership during the crisis of war and civil unrest, becoming the engine of the Terror.

Law of Suspects (9/17/93)

Broad decree defining 'enemies of liberty' vaguely, allowing for widespread arrests.

Marie Antoinette executed (10/16/93)

Former Queen is guillotined, symbolizing the final death of the Old Regime.

Napoléon Emperor (12/1804)

Napoleon crowns himself at Notre Dame, asserting his authority comes from himself.

Austerlitz (12/1805)

Napoleon defeats Russo-Austrian forces, ending the Holy Roman Empire.

Continental System (11/1806)

Decree prohibiting trade between continental Europe and Britain to ruin the British economy.

Luddite outbreaks start (1811)

Skilled textile workers attack factories fearing machines are destroying jobs.

Peterloo Massacre (1819)

Protesters demanding reform are charged by cavalry, resulting in deaths and injuries.

Great Reform Act (1832)

Expands voting rights to the middle class and eliminates 'rotten boroughs'.

Bismarck's Iron & Blood speech (9/62)

Argues that great questions will be decided by war and industry, not by voting.

Austro-Prussian War (6/66)

Prussia defeats Austria quickly; Treaty of Prague dissolves the German Confederation.

Ems Telegram (7/13/1870)

Bismarck edits a message provoking France into declaring war.

Franco-Prussian War begins (7/19/70)

Southern German states join Prussia, leading to Napoleon III's capture.

Nicholas II Tsar (11/1894)

Takes the throne committed to autocracy but lacks decisiveness.

February Revolution (2/1917)

Bread riots lead to revolution; soldiers refuse to fire on crowds, and Nicholas II abdicates.

October Revolution (10/1917)

Bolshevik Red Guard seizes key points, arresting the Provisional Government.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (3/1918)

Bolsheviks give up territory to end the war with Germany.