1789 The Spark of Revolution

The period from 1789 to 1848 in France witnessed revolutionary upheavals, the rise and fall of empires, and the struggle for republicanism. Below is a detailed timeline of events from the French Revolution (1789) to the Revolution of 1848.
1789-1799: The French Revolution
(Events covered previously in detail)
The Revolution marked the end of the monarchy, the establishment of the First Republic, and the Reign of Terror, culminating in the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte and the end of revolutionary rule.
1799-1804: The Consulate
November 9, 1799: Coup of 18 Brumaire
Napoleon Bonaparte overthrows the Directory, establishing the Consulate with himself as First Consul, holding near-absolute power.
1800: Bank of France Established
To stabilize the French economy, Napoleon creates the central bank.
February 1801: Concordat with the Pope
Napoleon reconciles with the Catholic Church, ending the schism created by the Civil Constitution of the Clergy.
March 1802: Treaty of Amiens
A brief period of peace between France and Great Britain, ending hostilities temporarily in the Napoleonic Wars.
1803: Sale of Louisiana
France sells the Louisiana Territory to the United States, using the funds to finance further wars.
1804-1815: The Napoleonic Era
May 18, 1804: Napoleon Declares Himself Emperor
The Consulate ends as Napoleon crowns himself Emperor Napoleon I, beginning the First French Empire.
Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815)
A series of wars pitting Napoleonic France against various European coalitions.
October 21, 1805: Battle of Trafalgar
The British navy under Admiral Nelson defeats Napoleon’s fleet, establishing British naval dominance.
December 2, 1805: Battle of Austerlitz
Napoleon defeats the combined forces of Austria and Russia, marking the height of his power.
1806: Continental System
Napoleon attempts to weaken Britain economically by prohibiting trade between Britain and European countries allied with France.
1808-1814: Peninsular War
French occupation of Spain leads to a guerrilla war, draining French resources and contributing to Napoleon’s eventual downfall.
June 24, 1812: Invasion of Russia
Napoleon invades Russia with the Grand Army but suffers catastrophic losses during the retreat from Moscow.
October 16-19, 1813: Battle of Leipzig (Battle of Nations)
Napoleon is decisively defeated by the coalition forces of Austria, Prussia, Russia, and Sweden.
April 6, 1814: Napoleon Abdicates
Napoleon abdicates after his defeat and is exiled to Elba. The monarchy is restored with Louis XVIII ascending the throne.
1815: The Hundred Days and Napoleon's Final Defeat
March 20, 1815: Napoleon Returns
Escaping from Elba, Napoleon regains control of France for a brief period known as the Hundred Days.
June 18, 1815: Battle of Waterloo
Napoleon is defeated by the Seventh Coalition, led by the Duke of Wellington and Prussian forces. This marks the definitive end of Napoleon’s rule.
June 22, 1815: Second Abdication
Napoleon abdicates again and is exiled to Saint Helena, where he dies in 1821.
1815-1830: The Bourbon Restoration
1815-1824: Reign of Louis XVIII
1815: Second Treaty of Paris
After Waterloo, France is subjected to an occupation by Allied troops and pays heavy reparations.
1816: Dissolution of the Chamber of Deputies
Louis XVIII dissolves the ultra-royalist-dominated Chamber and calls for more moderate elections.
1820: Assassination of Duke de Berry
The assassination of Louis XVIII’s nephew and heir strengthens ultra-royalist influence.
1824: Death of Louis XVIII
His brother, Charles X, succeeds him, leaning further into ultra-conservatism and royalist principles.
1832: June Rebellion
A failed uprising by republicans against Louis-Philippe’s monarchy in Paris, famously portrayed in Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables.
1840: Napoleon’s Remains Returned
The remains of Napoleon are brought back to France from St. Helena, symbolizing the enduring legacy of his empire.
1846-1847: Economic Crisis and Crop Failures
Widespread crop failures lead to economic hardship, unemployment, and starvation, heightening unrest.
February 1848: Banquet Campaign
Opposition to Louis-Philippe’s government grows as reform banquets, political gatherings in disguise, demand broader voting rights and democratic reforms.
1848: The February Revolution
February 22-24, 1848: Revolution and Abdication of Louis-Philippe
Protests in Paris escalate into a revolution, forcing Louis-Philippe to abdicate and flee to England. The monarchy is abolished.
February 24, 1848: Proclamation of the Second Republic
The French Second Republic is proclaimed, marking the end of the July Monarchy. A provisional government is formed, with leaders like Alphonse de Lamartine and Louis Blanc.
June 23-26, 1848: June Days Uprising
The government’s closure of National Workshops (public works programs) sparks a violent workers’ revolt in Paris. The rebellion is crushed, leading to a conservative reaction.