The Age of the French

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by Zev Chafer (original art)
The Age of the French
The Age of the French was a time period when France held control over much of Europe. Fueled by Enlightenment ideals, patriotism, and the quest for democracy, this era saw revolutions that sparked the French Revolutionary Wars and later the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power, successfully challenging alliances with nations like Great Britain, Prussia, and Austria. Although eventually defeated, Napoleon's reign brought significant shifts in democracy, governance, and political structures in the world. Tensions rose after patriotic movements sparked feelings of inequality and dissatisfaction with governance. In France, Enlightenment ideas and democratic principles gained traction, leading to further revolutions. This culminated in the Revolutionary Wars and eventually Napoleon's rule over Europe.
Timeline
Year
T
Time Period
R
Regnal Period
M
Military Period
1792
The Age of the French
The Dutch Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars
by Zev Chafer (original art)
Birth Georgius Rothfeld
Birth
Start of The French Revolutionary Wars & The Age of the French
End of The Age of the Patriots
The Age of the French
The Dutch Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars
The Declaration of War of France against Austria
On April 20, 1792, France declared war on Austria, marking the beginning of the War of the First Coalition. At the time, France was governed by the Legislative Assembly and aimed to expand its revolutionary ideals. They also sought to address perceived threats proactively, because they had seen what happened to other countries, such as during the Batavian Revolution.
Political event
The Age of the French
The Dutch Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The Brunswick Manifesto
On July 25, 1792, Charles William Ferdinand, the Duke of Brunswick and leader of the coalition armies, issued a manifesto. He warned of severe consequences if any harm came to the French Royal family. This was meant to scare the revolutionaries. However, it backfired, and they resisted the coalition forces even more.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Political event
The Age of the French
The Dutch Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The Capture of Verdun
On September 2, 1792, Prussian forces took control of Verdun. This event disheartened the French and opened a direct route to Paris. It also sparked the September massacres in the city.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Battle
The Age of the French
The Dutch Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The Battle of Valmy
On September 20, 1792 French had it's first major victory against the Prussian at the Battle of Valmy. The French, under Generals Charles Dumouriez and Francois Christophe Kellermann, managed to halt the Prussian advance towards Paris.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Battle
The Age of the French
The Dutch Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The Proclamation of the French Republic
After the victory at Valmy, the National Convention announced the end of the monarchy and set up the French Republic on September 22, 1792.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Political event
1793
The Age of the French
The Dutch Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The Execution of Louis XVI
King Louis XVI was tried and executed for treason on January 21, 1793. Nine months later, his wife Marie Antoinette also faced execution. These events contradicted the Brunswick Manifesto, prompting Britain, Spain, the Dutch Republic, and other European powers to join a coalition against France.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Death
The Age of the French
The Dutch Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Invasion of the Dutch Republic
On February 1st, 1793, a declaration of war was issued by France to attack the Dutch Republic. On the 17th of February, General Dumouriez attacked the Netherlands and was able to capture Breda. However, he lost at Neerwinden, and the Dutch Republic was able to exist for two more years.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Battle
The Age of the French
The Dutch Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The Battle of Neerwinden
The Austrian army, commanded by Prince Josias of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, triumphed over the French forces led by General Dumouriez. After this loss, Dumouriez switched sides to join the Austrians, leading to considerable turmoil in the French military command.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Battle
The Age of the French
The Dutch Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars
Birth Sara Aron
With: Sara Aron
Birth
1794
The Age of the French
The Dutch Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars
The Hessenwinter of 1794/1795
Tensions rose after patriotic movements sparked feelings of inequality and dissatisfaction with governance. In France, Enlightenment ideas and democratic principles gained traction, leading to further revolutions. This culminated in the Revolutionary Wars and eventually Napoleon's rule over Europe.
Natural event
Start of The Batavian Revolution
The Age of the French
The Dutch Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The Battle of Fleurus
General Jean-Baptiste Jourdan led French forces to an important victory over the Austrian army, gaining control of Belgium. The success at Fleurus was key to establishing French strategic dominance in the area.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Battle
The Age of the French
The Dutch Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars & The Batavian Revolution

The French Revolutionary Wars & The Batavian Revolution

The Battle of Boxtel
On the 14th and 15th of September 1794, the French army, led by General Pichegru, and the allied forces, consisting of troops from Great Britain, Hessen, and Hanover, fought near the city of Boxtel. The battle resulted in a win for the French army and a big step forward in revolutionizing the Dutch Republic.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars & The Batavian Revolution
Battle
The Age of the French
The Dutch Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars & The Batavian Revolution

The French Revolutionary Wars & The Batavian Revolution

The Siege of Maastricht
From the 19th of September to the 4th of November 1794, the French Forces, led by General Kléber, besieged the city of Maastricht, turning the city into a French city when the Batavian Republic was created a few months later.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars & The Batavian Revolution
Battle
1795
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The Batavian Revolution & The French Revolutionary Wars

The Batavian Revolution & The French Revolutionary Wars

The Proclamation of the Batavian Republic
On January 19, 1795, the new Batavian Republic was proclaimed, ending the Dutch Republic. The Stadtholder William V fled to England on January 18, and a new government was installed with republican principles, inspired by the French Revolution.

Period: The Batavian Revolution & The French Revolutionary Wars
Political event
Start of The Batavian Republic
End of The Dutch Republic
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The Peace of Basel
On April 5, 1795 Prussia signed the Peace of Basel with France, effectively withdrawing from the coalition and ceding control of the territories on the left bank of the Rhine to France. This treaty marked the beginning of the coalition's fragmentation.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Political event
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars
by Zev Chafer (original art)
Birth Mariëtte Bruére
Birth
1797
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The Treaty of Campo Formio
Napoleon's successful campaign in Italy led Austria to consider peace negotiations. On October 18, 1797, they signed the Treaty of Campo Formio. This agreement recognized France's new territories, such as Belgium, parts of Italy, and the left bank of the Rhine. In return, Austria got Venice. The treaty signalled the end of the War of the First Coalition.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Political event
1798
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars & The Batavian Revolution

The French Revolutionary Wars & The Batavian Revolution

The Establishment of the new Constitution
In May 1798, the new Constitution was adopted, which was based on the principles of democracy and centralization. This constitution diminished the independence of the provinces, as it provided for a more unified state structure. This shift marked the beginning of the end of the feudal structures like the manor system. Also, it gave more room for ordinary civilians to make one's voice heard, although most of the power still lay with the richer people.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars & The Batavian Revolution
Political event
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The Battle of the Pyramids
On July 21, 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte led the French Army of the Orient against the Mamluk forces near Cairo. The French successfully repelled the Mamluk cavalry and established control over Egypt.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Battle
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The Battle of the Nile
On August 1 and 2, 1798, the British Royal Navy, under Admiral Horatio Nelson, clashed with the French fleet at Aboukir Bay. They emerged victorious, destroying most of the French ships and leaving Napoleon's army stranded in Egypt.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Battle
1799
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The Siege of Acre
On March 20 and 21, 1799, Napoleon's army besieged the city of Acre. Ottoman forces and British sailors, led by Sir Sidney Smith, defended the city. Despite multiple attacks and some early victories, Napoleon's troops couldn't take the city because of strong defence and logistical issues. This resulted in Napoleon withdrawal out of the Middle East.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Battle
End of The Batavian Revolution
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The Battle of Ostrach
The Austrian army, led by Archduke Charles, clashed with General Jourdan's French Army of the Danube on March 21, 1799. Thanks to their greater numbers and better tactics, the Austrians pushed the French into a retreat.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Battle
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The Battle of Stockach
Following their victory at Ostrach, the Austrian army secured another win against the French at the Battle of Stockach on March 23, 1799, strengthening their hold on southern Germany.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Battle
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The Battle of Cassano
On April 27, 1799, General Alexander Suvorov led Russian and Austrian troops to victory over the French at Cassano in Italy. This win forced the French to retreat and resulted in France losing substantial ground in Italy.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Battle
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The First Battle of Zurich
From June 4 to June 7, 1799, Russian troops led by General Korsakov, alongside Austrian forces, launched an attack on the French army in Zurich. This forced the French to pull back. The battle was a brief victory for the coalition in Switzerland.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Battle
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The Battle of Novi
On August 15, 1799, coalition forces, mainly Russian and Austrian troops under Suvorov's command, defeated the French in Northern Italy. This victory pushed the French to retreat further, causing them to lose their stronghold in the region.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Battle
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The Second Battle of Zurich
On September 25 and 26, 1799, the Second Battle of Zurich took place. French General André Masséna launched a counterattack against the Russian and Austrian forces, defeating them decisively. This victory ensured French dominance over Switzerland.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Battle
1800
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The Battle of Marengo
After returning from Egypt and seizing power in France, Napoleon launched a surprise campaign into Northern Italy on June 14, 1800. His forces encountered the Austrians under General Melas, who at first outmanoeuvred them. However, with timely reinforcements and determined counterattacks, Napoleon managed to defeat the Austrian forces. This victory solidified his power and allowed France to regain control of Northern Italy.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Battle
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The Battle of Hohenlinden
On December 3, 1800, French troops led by General Jean Moreau clashed with Austrian forces in Munich, Bavaria. Thanks to Moreau's strategic planning and smart tactics, France won a clear victory, prompting the Austrians to pursue peace talks.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Battle
1801
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The Treaty of Lunéville
Following the Battle of Hohenlinden, Austria had to start peace negotiations with France. They signed a treaty on February 5, 1801, which ended their conflict. Austria acknowledged France's new territories, including the Rhineland, Belgium, and some regions of Italy.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Political event
1802
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The French Revolutionary Wars

The French Revolutionary Wars

The Treaty of Amiens
The treaty, signed on March 25, 1802, between France and Britain officially ended the War of the Second Coalition. It established a temporary peace, with Britain acknowledging French authority over territories previously held by Austria and the Dutch. In return, France agreed to pull out from various occupied regions.

Period: The French Revolutionary Wars
Political event
1803
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The Napoleonic Wars
The Final Recess of the Imperial Deputation of Germany
Political event
Start of The Napoleonic Wars
End of The French Revolutionary Wars
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The Napoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars

The Breakdown of the Treaty of Amiens
The Peace of Amiens was signed on March 25, 1802, in an attempt to end the hostilities between Britain and France that had arisen during the French Revolutionary Wars. However, this peace agreement was short-lived. The British government refused to return some of France's colonial possessions, which was stipulated in the treaty, causing deep-seated tensions between the two countries. Additionally, Britain was alarmed by France's and especially Napoleons' ambitions and behaviour, further escalating the tension. This eventually led to the start of the Napoleonic Wars around May 18th, 1803.

Period: The Napoleonic Wars
Political event
1804
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The Napoleonic Wars
by Zev Chafer (original art)
Antonius Lutz inherits Lutz farm
Location: Lutz Farm
Inheritance
1805
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The Napoleonic Wars
by Zev Chafer (original art)
Birth Eduardus Grenn
Birth
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The Napoleonic Wars
by Zev Chafer
by Zev Chafer (original art)
Wedding David Silbers & Lena Silbers
Wedding
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The Napoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars

The Battle of Trafalgar
On November 21, 1805, the British Royal Navy and the Franco-Spanish fleet engaged in a battle near Cape Trafalgar, off the southwest coast of Spain. The battle resulted in a decisive victory for Britain and thwarted Napoleon's plans to invade Britain.

Period: The Napoleonic Wars
Battle
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The Napoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars

The Battle of Austerlitz
The Battle of Austerlitz took place on December 12, 1805, between the French army and the combined forces of Austria and Russia. This battle was one of Napoleon's greatest victories and resulted in the defeat of the Austrian and Russian armies. As a consequence, the Treaty of Pressburg was signed and the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved.

Period: The Napoleonic Wars
Battle
The Age of the French
The Batavian Republic
The Napoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars

The Treaty of Pressburg
The Treaty of Pressburg was signed on December 26, 1805, after the Austrian and Russian forces were defeated by the French Empire, led by Napoleon Bonaparte, in the Battle of Austerlitz. As a result of the treaty, Austria lost some of its territories and was significantly weakened. Additionally, the Holy Roman Empire lost its influence over Italy and power over Europe.

Period: The Napoleonic Wars
Political event
1806
The Age of the French
The Kingdom of Holland
The Napoleonic Wars

The Batavian Revolution & The French Revolutionary Wars

The Batavian Revolution & The French Revolutionary Wars

The Dissolvement of the Batavian Republic
The Batavian Republic struggled to maintain stability, due to ongoing conflicts in Europe. There were major economic challenges, such as war debts and trade disruptions. On June 5, 1806, Napoleon Bonaparte dissolved the Batavian Republic and established the Kingdom of Holland, placing his brother Louis Bonaparte on the throne, marking an end to the revolutionary period in the Netherlands.

Period: The Batavian Revolution & The French Revolutionary Wars
Political event
Start of The Kingdom of Holland
End of The Batavian Republic
The Age of the French
The Kingdom of Holland
The Napoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars

The Battle of Jena-Auerstedt
The Battle of Jena-Auerstedt was a critical engagement during the Napoleonic Wars. The French army fought against the Prussian forces near Jena and Auersted on October 14, 1806. It was another victory for the French Empire, led by Napoleon Bonaparte and a significant defeat for the Prussian army, following a quick occupation of Prussia. It led to the Treaty of Tilsit, which significantly decreased the territory of Prussia.

Period: The Napoleonic Wars
Battle
1807
The Age of the French
The Kingdom of Holland
The Napoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars

The Battle of Friedland
On June 14, 1807, there was a battle near the town of Friedland between the French army and the Russian forces. The French emerged victorious once again, defeating the Russian army led by Tsar Alexander I of Russia. Following this defeat, the Tsar sought peace between Russia and France, which led to the signing of the Treaty of Tilsit and the creation of a new alliance between the two countries.

Period: The Napoleonic Wars
Battle
The Age of the French
The Kingdom of Holland
The Napoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars

The Treaty of Tilsit
In the town of Tilsit, a treaty was signed on July 7, 1807, between the French Empire, Russia, and Prussia following the Battle of Jena - Auerstedt and the Battle of Friedland, resulting in territorial losses for Prussia, a new alliance between France and Russia, and an increase in French power in Europe.

Period: The Napoleonic Wars
Political event
The Age of the French
The Kingdom of Holland
The Napoleonic Wars
Profits Lutz farm decline
Location: Lutz Farm
Event
1808
The Age of the French
The Kingdom of Holland
The Napoleonic Wars
by Zev Chafer (original art)
Josephina Vos inherits her parents shop
Location: Boutique Vos
Inheritance
The Age of the French
The Kingdom of Holland
The Napoleonic Wars
by Zev Chafer (original art)
Georgius Rothfeld joins the Austrian army
Occupation
1809
The Age of the French
The Kingdom of Holland
The Napoleonic Wars
Birth Marie Hoff
Birth
The Age of the French
The Kingdom of Holland
The Napoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars

The Battle of Wagram
The Battle of Wagram was fought on July 5-6, 1809, near the village of Wagram between the French and Austrian armies. It was one of the deadliest battles of the Napoleonic Wars. Even though Napoleon emerged victorious, his army suffered heavy losses as well.

Period: The Napoleonic Wars
Battle
The Age of the French
The Kingdom of Holland
The Napoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars

The Treaty of Schönbrunn
The Treaty of Schönbrunn was signed on October 14, 1809, between the French and Austrian empires, which resulted in Austria losing more of its territories, paying a large indemnity, and facing limitations on its army. As a consequence, the French Empire became even more powerful than before.

Period: The Napoleonic Wars
Political event
1810
The Age of the French
The French Kingdom
The Napoleonic Wars
by Zev Chafer (original art)
by Zev Chafer (original art)
Wedding Josephina Vos & Antonius Lutz
Wedding
Start of The French Kingdom
End of The Kingdom of Holland
1811
The Age of the French
The French Kingdom
The Napoleonic Wars
Wedding Jacob Muller & Sara Aron
Wedding
The Age of the French
The French Kingdom
The Napoleonic Wars
by Zev Chafer (original art)
Birth Samuel Hochter
Birth
1812
The Age of the French
The French Kingdom
The Napoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars

The Invasion of Russia
On June 24, 1812 the army of France led by Napoleon started their Russian campaign and invaded the country. From the start they had an enormous success, due to their large army and scorched earth strategy, forcing the Russian army to retreat deeper into Russia.

Period: The Napoleonic Wars
Battle
The Age of the French
The French Kingdom
The Napoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars

The Battle of Borodino
On September 7, 1812, a few months after France invaded Russia, the Battle of Borodino took place. It was one of the bloodiest single-day battles in the war and ended inconclusively. This marked a turning point for France as they had been victorious in most of their previous battles. Due to the onset of the Russian Winter, shortage of supplies, and no sign of Russian capitulation, the French army retreated from Russia.

Period: The Napoleonic Wars
Battle
1813
The Age of the French
The Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands
The Napoleonic Wars
by Zev Chafer (original art)
Mariëtte Bruére starks working as a nurse
Occupation
Start of The Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands
End of The French Kingdom
The Age of the French
The Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands
The Napoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars

The Battle of Leipzig
The Battle of Leipzig, also known as the Battle of Nations, was fought from October 16th to 19th in 1813 near the city of Leipzig. After the retreat of the French army from Russia, a new coalition was formed, consisting of Austria, Prussia, Russia, and Sweden, to defeat the French. This battle marked a crucial turning point in the Napoleonic Wars as the coalition emerged victorious, forcing the French army to retreat back to France and losing power in Germany and Poland.

Period: The Napoleonic Wars
Battle
The Age of the French
The Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands
The Napoleonic Wars
by Zev Chafer (original art)
Georgius Rothfeld fights in the Napoleonic Wars
Occupation
1814
The Age of the French
The Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands
The Napoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars

The Capture of Paris
After the Battle of Leipzig, the French army led by Napoleon was pushed back into France. The coalition, consisting of Austria, Prussia, Russia and Sweden, advanced towards the French capital of Paris. The French forces were outnumbered and defeated, leading to the capture and surrender of Paris by the coalition on March 31st, 1814.

Period: The Napoleonic Wars
Battle
The Age of the French
The Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands
The Napoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars

The Abdication of Napoleon Bonaparte
Following his loss at the Battle of Leipzig and the takeover of Paris by the coalition consisting of Austria, Prussia, Russia, and Sweden, Napoleon was compelled to give up his throne. He was exiled to the Island of Elba, while Louis XVIII, brother of the executed King Louis XVI, was reinstated as the ruler of France.

Period: The Napoleonic Wars
Political event
The Age of the French
The Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands
The Napoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars

The Treaty of Fontainebleau
The Treaty of Fontainebleau (Treaty of Paris) was signed on April 11, 1814, and marked the end of Napoleon's reign as the Emperor of France. The treaty was an agreement between Napoleon and the allies, which included Austria, Russia, and Prussia. As part of the agreement, the Bourbon family with Louis XVIII was restored to the throne.

Period: The Napoleonic Wars
Political event
"

Cover image: by Zev Chafer (original art)

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