The French Revolution began in a time where the clergy and nobles had to pay little or no taxes (not to mention their privileges) and now with the high price for bread and a lot of money spent on entertainment by the nobility (most of it taken from the poor) it was the perfect conditions for a Revolution. During the French Revolution the three most significant events were The National Assembly, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, and the execution of King Louis XVI.
The National Assembly and Tennis Court Oath were the beginning of events that made up the changes in society as a result of the French Revolution. Before the National Assembly, the “Parliament” known as the Estates General which was composed of three estates of social class. They each voted in blocs; meaning the 3rd estate, even though they were twice the size of the other estates could be outvoted 2:1. Eventually, the 3rd estate left and became the National Assembly where they made actual progress in creating changes in the Government as well as took the Tennis Court Oath, in which they would have to keep meeting until progress for the revolution was completed. The National Assembly also directed the course of the Revolution for the better, in the sense that if it didn’t happen, the revolution would have been stationary, unmoving. The positive events it led up to would not have happened like, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, the changes made in Versailles and Paris for example, the ending of serfdom and abolishment of the nobles feudal privileges, and the National Guard.
A painting of the National Assembly taking the Tennis Court Oath
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen had a massive influence and an immense impact on the world. The Declaration of the Rights of man and the Citizen was one of the most significant because it’s never been conceived before, though yes, Britain had the Bill of Rights but, there were still many places, like France, that still used feudalism as their form of government. The colossal impact of this inspired the people, and frightened monarchs, across Europe and the effects last to even this day! Many countries have laws about equality and rights. Even when before Robespierre was executed, this happens much later on in the timeline, and the Committee of public safety was falling apart, they pointed out the Declaration of the Rights of man and the Citizen and thought something along the lines of, at least we got that done.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
The execution of King Louis XVI was a turning point in the French Revolution because the king was executed and it led to many long term effects for the country of France. Including more executions for all. Eventually his wife, Marie Antoinette, too was executed, and all the executions eventually led to Marat’s Assassination that which eventually resulted in the Reign of Terror. It effected the course of the Revolution, because if he wasn’t dead the Moderates could have had a constitutional monarchy. The extent of the immediate impact of fear from the Royalists and the excitement of the Radicals was massive upon Europe as well as this effect lasted for a long while. To be honest, there was really no reason to execute the king, they had already dethroned him, but yet the effect was still enormous.
The execution of King Louis XVI
There you have it, the three most significant events of the French Revolution. To recap, The National Assembly, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, and the execution of King Louis XVI. These events that took place inspired Equality, Liberty, and Fraternity around the world, and the effect still lasts to this day. This is what made them become the most significant events of the French Revolution.
It was a fee for services in the form of a stamp that had to be purchased and then stuck on items that were bought and sold. Stamps also had to be bought for documents. The Stamp Act affected everyone and Americans were enraged. The Colonists had no representatives in the British Parliament and felt they were being taxed without consent. Officials sent out to enforce the Stamp Act were often attacked, some were Tarred and Feathered. The Stamp Act was repealed in 1766
Townshend Acts June 1767
An image representing the tax on tea from the Townshend Acts
Parliament imposed the Townshend Acts, which included new duties on paper, paint, glass, and tea- all goods that had to be shipped in from the outside colonies. It actually raised little money and was really meant for Britain to prove to the colonies that they still had the right and authority to tax them. The Colonies once again, protested and then the Act was abolished, except the tax on tea.
Boston Massacre March 5 1770
American Revolutionary War (1775-1783). The Boston Massacre or Boston riot (1770). British redcoats killed five civilian men.
In 1770 nervous British soldiers misunderstood an order and fired their muskets into a mob of protesters in Boston, killing several people. The “Boston Massacre” was quickly turned into anti-British propaganda by colonial leaders
Tea Act May 10 1773 and Boston Tea Party December 16 1773
A painting representing the Boston Tea party
In 1773, about 116 people boarded English ships docked in Boston. They then destroyed a fortune in tea by throwing it into the harbor. The event was meant to protest the Tea Act that still protected the British East India Company, who had a monopoly on the colonists. It was one of the most important symbolic events leading to the American Revolution
Intolerable Acts/Coercive Acts April 22 1774
A painting of British Parliament of the time
Boston Port Act Closes the Port of Boston until the East India Company is compensated for the destroyed tea.
Massachusetts Government Act All positions in the colony’s government are now appointed by the British. Town meetings can be held only once a year.
Quartering Act Colonial governors may house soldiers in any unoccupied building. Colonists believe this includes private homes.
Administration of Justice Act British officials accused of crimes can have their trials held in another colony- or even Great Britain.
Quebec Act Made the French language and Roman Catholicism official in the British colony of Quebec. The city’s boundaries were spread far into Ohio Valley. It was another Intolerable Act to the Colonies.
First Continental Congress September 5 – October 26 1774
A painting representing the First Continental Congress
In 1774, all of the Thirteen Colonies except Georgia sent delegates to the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia. They began defying the British and cutting economic ties to the home country. As British General Gage readied thousands of British troops from his headquarters in Boston, rebellious colonists began to train and store weapons and ammunition.
Components
Battle of Lexington and Concord April 19 1775
A painting representing The Battle of Lexington and Concord
King George declared Colonies in state of rebellion and sent General Tomas Gage to disarm colonists and arrest leaders. Gage then sent 700 troops under Francis Smith to seize/destroy weapons in Concord, but the Colonists knew weapons in danger and hid them. Dr. Joseph Warren alerted members of Sons of Liberty, One of them went out to gather militia, other warned Concord. Then the British arrived and the “Shot Heard Round the World” happened, but only god knows who fired it. Redcoats marched to concord and had 8 minutemen killed 10 wounded but the numbers of minutemen swelling. Redcoats destroyed several cannons and leftover ammo but the Minutemen held bridge, Redcoats retreat then they exit Concord to Boston but Colonists shoot Redcoats from hidden positions along the way. Redcoats angered by their hidden enemy and the brutal scalping of one of their own, pillage houses and villages nearby, killing many colonists. When they finally made it to Boston, 73 Redcoats were killed and 174 were wounded.
Battle of Bunker Hill June 17 1775
A painting representing the Battle of Bunker hillA map of The Battle of Bunker Hill
American troops were sent to entrench on Bunker Hill, overlooking Boston from where they could bombard the British troops and ships but they made a mistake and went to Breed’s Hill instead, which is closer to the British position. When the British found the Americans they could have used their ships and surrounded them, but instead charged them uphill because they thought the Americans would retreat from the head-on attack. They were most definitely wrong as It took two attempts of attacking and retreating until the third where they finally took the hill. Even though they won they had MAJOR CASUALTIES, out of the 2300 troops, 1054 were either killed or injured.
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense February 14 1776
An image representing the Pamphlet Common Sense
The Majority of Colonists were told from birth to love England and the monarch and fear was another factor against breaking ties. with the Americans divided, Thomas Paine provided the extra push for independence. He published Common Sense in January with two main points: Independence from England and the creation of a democratic republic. Also Paine was not religious but he knew his readers were and Common Sense grew the patriot cause.
Declaration of Independence July 4 1776
An image representing the Declaration of independence
The formal document of why the colonies are breaking away from Great Britain. Five people we chosen to create it, among them was Tomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams. Though this was an act of treason to do so.
Battle of Trenton December 26 1776
A painting representing the journey to Trenton
Patriot morale was low and to highten morale George Washington planned the attack on the Hessians from three different directions. Problem was, crossing the Delware river was difficult because of the weather. The Hessians were overun and after the battle there was only two American casualties which were both from the weather, but they captured 896 Hessians.
Battle of Saratoga October 7 1777
A painting showing General burgoyne surrendering to General GatesA map of the Battle of Saratoga
The British planned to cut off New England from the rest of the colonies by taking New York, Albany and the Hudson River. Generals Burgoyne, St. Leger and Howe would meet at Albany to defeat the rebel armies but, Burgoyne’s army became trapped in Saratoga blocked by General Gates October 7, 1777. Burgoyne attempted to attack the larger Patriot force and Burgoyne’s army was defeated by Arnold’s army at Bemis Heights due to a lack of supplies and high casualties, Burgoyne surrendered. The Patriot victory at Saratoga was a turning point in the war. It renewed the morale of the Americans as well as convinced France the Americans could win the war and decided to support the Americans, France sent generals, troops, ships, supplies, money to help Americans win the war.
Battle of Camden August 16 1780
A painting representing The Battle of Camden
In 1780 the British shifted their focus to the Southern Colonies and took loyalist stronghold of Savannah and Charleston as well as 5000 Patriot soldiers. The Continental Congress gave Horatio Gates command of second southern army. Gates had this army near Charlotte, north Carolina and ordered the group of Continental Soldiers and militia to march to British lines in south Carolina. Of the 4k soldiers half were ravaged by disease or exhaustion and others had little or no military experience. Redcoats found out and sent more then 2k troops to Gates. The Redcoats inflicted heavy casualties in Patriot Right flank via volleys then charged with their bayonets. The Patriots fled, then Gates army (as well as himself) fled. With over a thousand captured and 900 killed or wounded and the artillery and baggage train were captured as well as the patriot operation in the south utterly crippled, Gates was replaced by Nathanael Greene.
Battle of the Cowpens January 17 1781
A painting representing the Battle of the Cowpens
After the initial British charge the first two lines of Patriot fighters withdrew. Tarelton believed the Patriots were in full retreat and ordered soldiers to charge but, Tarelton was not aware of a third line of Patriot fighters waiting for the British charge and British forces charged directly into the third line of Patriots who halted British advance with a bayonet charge. British soldiers surrendered and others turn and ran. The British army was outflanked and Patriot forces began attacking the British from behind. British forces began to retreat despite Tarelton urging them to continue fighting. Morgan captured 712 British soldiers and 110 British soldiers were killed. The battle was a turning point for the Southern campaign as the Battle of the Cowpens ultimately was the first step in the eventual end of the war as it caused Cornwallis to abandon South Carolina, engage Greene at Guilford Courthouse and eventually withdraw his army to Yorktown where his army would eventually come under siege and surrender.
Battle of Guildford Courthouse March 15 1781
A painting representing the Battle of Guilford Courthouse
The British only had 1,900 vs the American 4,500 troops. The British won with the loss of 500+ Soldiers, though this would be the last “major” victory for the British.
Battle of Yorktown October 6-19 1781
a painting representing the Surrender of Yorktown
Six years into the war and Washington’s army is tired and broke. It is the Summer of 1781. Needed a victory that could change the tide, maybe even end the war. Washington gets help from the French. Land forces trapped Cornwallis’ army west and Comte de Grasse’s fleet trapped him from the east and there would be no British reinforcements. On October 6, 1781, Washington’s troops dug a trench 2k yards long and 3 days later cannons and guns were dragged into place, by the afternoon bullets were sprayed into the British defense from land and sea, this persisted through the night and many Redcoats began deserting. As things went on, trenches were dug closer and closer, As only a matter of time Cornwallis surrendered though previously tried to escape. This was the last major battle.
Consequences
Treaty of Paris 1783
The Treaty of Paris, 1783, ended the American Revolution between the United States of America and Great Britain. The Treaty bears the signatures of John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, among others.
Britain agreed to recognize American independence. They gave Americans fishing rights to the Grand Banks off the coast of Newfoundland. Britain also granted the U.S. all territory between Allegheny Mountains on the east and Mississippi River on the west.
Loyalist
An image showing the two sides of Colonists, Patriots and Loyalists
Approximately 20% American colonists supported British rule and remained loyal. They were persecuted by the Patriots during the war Patriots abused them and burned their homes and farms. After the revolution and Treaty of Paris was signed, between 80,000-100,000 Loyalists had to leave U.S.. Many settled in other British colonies in North America – Quebec, Nova Scotia and Island of St. John (PEI)
Constitution 1789
The Constitution
It outlines the structure and powers of government. The three branches of government are separate, checked and balanced off by the power of the other two. The U S Constitution is supreme. All persons are equal before the law and people can change the constitution.
Bill of Rights 1791
An image representing Bil of Rights
The first 10 amendments (additions) of the constitution represent ideals regarding individual liberty, limited government, and the rule of law
Worldwide Influence
An image representing the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen”
American Revolution spread ideas of liberty, individual rights and equality to other parts of the world. It influenced and inspired other revolutions around the world such as France in 1789. American Declaration of Independence had some impact on the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen of 1789
Most significant cause: Charles did not rule according to the law 1625-1642
The Grand Remonstrance that was passed to limit the power of the king.
The reason I think that Charles not ruling according to the law is the most significant cause is because it is what I’d call the “root cause” what I mean is if he DID rule according to the law, he wouldn’t obtain money without Parliament’s consent, as well as the Grand Remonstrance (see image above) wouldn’t have been passed for it would have been unnecessary and because of that Charles wouldn’t have invaded the House of Commons, leaving that his advisers being unpopular, but that’s about it.
Most significant component 1: Solemn League and Covenant September 25 1643
The Solemn League and Covenant to unite the churches of Scotland, England, and Ireland
The Solemn League and Covenant was first proposed to the Scotts by Parliament for them to help Parliament against the king(Charles I) during the English civil war saying that Parliament will signed it if they help them but, some time later the king escapes and re-proposes it to the Scotts in order for them to help him, Charles I the very person they were fighting not to long ago but, being a king seemed to hold some importance over parliament in comparison to the king because they accepted to do so if he, Charles I, signed it.
Mot significant component 2: Battle of Naseby June 14 1645
A picture depicting the Battle of Naseby
The Battle of Naseby was THE turning point of the civil war or essentially,the battle that won the (first part of the) war for Parliament because Charles’s forces were so defeated from that battle that Parliament might as well have won that day.
Most significant component 3: Charles I escapes December 1647
Illustration of Charles I’s attempted escape
Charles I escaping is another important event because it starts the (short) second civil war, though Charles I didn’t really escape until he signed the “Engagement” which was more of a renamed “Solemn League and Covenant” agreeing that in order for the assistance of the Scotts, he (Charles I) would allow Presbyterianism into England which was also the agreement of the “Solemn League and Covenant” anyway, the Scotts agree and Charles’s army gets back up again! Only to be knocked back down.
Most significant consequence: Execution of Charles I January 30 1649
Execution of Charles I
The execution of Charles I was a majorly significant event, the effect was immediate and lasted much longer along with a massive impact as well, especially seeing as how it’s an execution, Charles is dead, he’s not coming back afterwards.
Cromwell and the Republic 1649-1661
Most significant event 1: Instrument of government appoints Cromwell Lord Protector December 15 1653
The instrument of government
Imagine if Cromwell wasn’t assigned Lord Protector? It would definitely change things, for better or for worse would have definitely been the question though. This event also shaped the course of the events afterwards, seeing as how it would change a lot with the slightest change to this one. Now to talk about the event itself, basically, “The Instrument of Government” (see above) assigned Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector (or Military Dictator) of England.
Most significant event 2: Blue Laws are imposed April 1655
Theater was one of the things banned by the Blue Laws
The blue Laws were extremely strict laws about religious activities and the like. They prohibited Christmas, drinking, gambling, and a lot of other things that I forget. They were EXTREMELY unpopular with a lot of the English populace
Charles II and Restoration of the Monarchy 1661-1685
Most significant event: Parliament passes the Test Act January 1678
House of commons 17th century
The Test Act was a law that prohibited Catholics from government positions because in order to get said position you will need to swear an oath that no Catholics would accept to do so, This law had such an impact that it effect on the reign of the next king.
James II and the Glorious Revolution 1685-1689
Most significant event 1: James II institutes a reign of terror – Bloody Assizes – against opponents June 1685
An image of the duke of Monmouth’s execution
James started a reign of terror against the Duke of Monmouth and his supporters, the duke was an illegitimate son of Charles II and had come to try and claim the throne with good chances for he was a protestant but, was somewhat denied by parliament because they didn’t want a third civil war. Then he was executed some time later. This is quite significant seeing as how I don’t see ANYONE being happy about a Reign of Terror.
Most significant event 2: James II violates Test Act appointing Catholics to government positions November 1685
Interior of a 17th century Catholic church
So, what happened here is that James tried to repeal the Test Act but Parliament disagreed with him and so, without Parliament’s approval, he began assigning governing positions to Catholics… hmm… without Parliament’s approval now does that sound familiar? That’s right! it’s like Charles I all over again! I think this was the trigger for Parliament to invite Mary and William over, seeing as how the Test Act was meant for them NOT to be surrounded by Catholics.
Well in my opinion, I’d say V is more of a freedom fighter seeing as how it’s a facist government, meaning you can’t really oppose the government in a calm fashion because eventually you’d just be simply assassinated like Evey’s parents, now if it was like the government today and V did what he did, he’d definitely be a terrorist because he could “rebel” in a orderly fashion but, with the situation the movies in, he’s a freedom fighter. Then there’s what he says before he blew up the tower, as well as the mask he wears, and how he collects things that were banned from the past, I mean, if someone obtained something talking about what happened in nazi germony with hitler being elected, then looked at the simularities of the situations, they would realize what’s happening and spread the word, creating an unplesant problem for the government. Again, because of the fact that it’s a facist government, I beleive that V is a freedom fighter.
