| 1787 | Dutch Patriot revolt is stifled by Prussian invasion |
| 1788 | Beginning of Austrian Netherlands resistance against reforms of Joseph II; opening of reform parliament in Poland |
| 1789 | French Revolution begins |
| 1790 | Internal divisions lead to collapse of resistance in Austrian Netherlands |
| 1791 | Beginning of slave revolt in St. Domingue (Haiti) |
| 1792 | Beginning of war between France and rest of Europe; second revolution of August 10 overthrows monarchy |
| 1793 | Second partition of Poland by Austria and Russia; Louis XVI of France is executed for treason |
| 1794 | Abolition of slavery in French colonies; Robespierre's government by terror falls |
| 1795 | Third (final) partition of Poland; France annexes Austrian Netherlands |
| 1797–1798 | Creation of “sister republics” in Italian states and Switzerland |