Start of the American Revolution
The American Revolution began on April 19, 1775, with the Battles of Lexington and Concord, marking the first military engagements between the Thirteen Colonies and British troops.
Declaration of Independence
On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, authored primarily by Thomas Jefferson, proclaiming the colonies' freedom from British rule and outlining the principles of individual rights and government by consent.
Victory at Yorktown
The decisive victory at the Siege of Yorktown in October 1781 effectively ended major fighting in the American Revolution, leading to the eventual surrender of British General Cornwallis.
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, formally ended the American Revolution, recognizing the sovereignty of the United States and establishing its borders.
Start of the French Revolution
The French Revolution began in 1789, fueled by widespread discontent with the monarchy, social inequality, and financial crises, leading to the convening of the Estates-General in May.
Storming of the Bastille
On July 14, 1789, the Storming of the Bastille became a symbol of the French Revolution, as revolutionaries attacked the fortress-prison, marking the uprising against royal authority.
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
In August 1789, the National Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, outlining fundamental rights and principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity, which were inspired by Enlightenment ideas and the American Revolution.
Execution of Louis XVI
King Louis XVI was executed by guillotine on January 21, 1793, marking a radical turn in the French Revolution and the end of the monarchy in France.
Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror, from September 1793 to July 1794, was characterized by political purges and mass executions led by the Committee of Public Safety, reflecting the revolution's intensifying radicalism.
Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte
The French Revolution culminated in 1799 with the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, who staged a coup d'état and established himself as the leader of France, ultimately transitioning the country from revolutionary ideals to authoritarian rule.
Influence of the American Revolution on France
The American Revolution significantly influenced the French Revolution, as French intellectuals and revolutionaries drew inspiration from American ideals of democracy, liberty, and resistance against tyranny.
Establishment of the National Assembly in France
In June 1789, the Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly, asserting its authority and marking a significant step towards a representative government in France, inspired by the American Revolution.
Establishment of the First French Republic
In September 1792, the monarchy was abolished, and the First French Republic was proclaimed, embodying the revolutionary principles that had been influenced by the American Revolution.
The Directory Established in France
In 1795, the Directory was established as the governing body of France, reflecting the ongoing struggles and complexities following the radical phase of the French Revolution, alongside the legacy of the American Revolution's democratic aspirations.
