The French Revolution was a social and political conflict with different periods of violence that convulsed France and, by extension of its implications, other nations of Europe faced by supporters and opponents of the system known as the old regime. It began with the proclamation of the third State as National Assembly in 1789 and ended with the coup of State of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1799.
1789 - French Revolution ends rule of monarchy going back to 9th century; followed by establishment of the First Republic.
1799 - Napoleon Bonaparte leads coup to overthrow government; consolidates position with new constitution.
1804-1814 - Napoleon crowns himself emperor of First French Empire; series of military successes brings most of continental Europe under his control.
1815 - Napoleon defeated in Battle of Waterloo; monarchy reestablished.
1848 - Fall of King Louis-Philippe; Louis-Napoleon, nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, proclaimed president of Second Republic.
1852-1870 - Louis-Napoleon takes title of Napoleon III in Second Empire.
1870-71 - Franco-Prussian War, ending in French defeat, loss of Alsace-Lorraine and end of the Second Empire; Third Republic lasts until 1940.
1877 - Republicans win general elections, ending hopes of a monarchist revival.
1914-18 World War I - Massive casualties in trenches in north-east France; 1.3 million Frenchmen are killed and many more wounded by the end of the war.