| 1708-1732 | Due to a dispute between Frankfurt citizens and the city council, several imperial committees investigate the city's constitutional and financial affairs. A number of imperial resolutions lead to administrative reforms and the institution of a citizens' committee to control the city's finances. |
| 1711/19 | The Jewish ghetto (Judengasse) and large parts of the Old Town (Altstadt) are destroyed in two big fires. As a result, the city council issues new building regulations. |
| 1742-1745 | For a brief period Frankfurt becomes an imperial residence under Emperor Charles VII. |
| 1749 | Johann Wolfgang Goethe is born in Frankfurt. |
| 1759-1763 | Frankfurt is occupied by French troops during the Seven Years War. Upon French initiative, street lighting, street name signs and the system of house numbers are improved. |
| 1763 | The physician Johann Christian Senckenberg leaves his estate to the city of Frankfurt, as an endowment for the promotion of medicine and various sciences. |
| 1792 | The last imperial coronation takes place in Frankfurt (Francis II). A short time later Frankfurt is occupied by French revolutionary troops. Further occupations take place in 1796, 1800 and 1806. |
| 1800 | Frankfurt has a population of about 35,000. |
| 1805 | Following a council resolution, Frankfurt starts to demolish its fortifications. The area around the walls is converted to a park. |
| 1806 | Frankfurt becomes subject to Karl Theodor von Dalberg, the Prince-Bishop of the Rhine Confederation, and is promoted to a Grand Duchy in 1810. Dalberg carries out a fundamental reform of the city's legal and administrative systems. |
| 1813 | After Napoleon's defeat, Dalberg is expelled from Frankfurt by allied troops. The re-introduction of Frankfurt's imperial constitution leads to the annulment of most of his reforms. |
| 1815 | The German Confederation is set up by the Congress of Vienna. Frankfurt is declared a "free city" and the venue of the Confederation's Diet. |
| 1816 | Frankfurt's imperial constitution is modified by the Constitutional Amendment Act. |
| 1833 | With the Occupation of the Constabularies, a number of students, country folk and Polish officers want to topple the Diet of the German Confederation and set up a republic. However, due to poor organization and lack of support from Frankfurt's citizens, the uprising collapses within a short time. |
| 1836 | Frankfurt joins the German Customs Union. |
| 1839 | With the opening of the Taunus line to Wiesbaden, Frankfurt receives a railway link. |
| 1848/49 | The German National Assembly convenes at the Paulskirche (St. Paul's Church). A bill of fundamental German rights and a new Imperial Constitution are passed. However, the rejection of the imperial crown by Frederick William IV of Prussia leads to the failure of the reforms attempted by the Paulskirche assembly. |
| 1866 | Frankfurt is annexed by Prussia. |
| 1867 | Frankfurt has a population of about 78,000. |
| 1877 | The incorporation of Bornheim marks the beginning of the expansion of Frankfurt in the 19th century. Further incorporations follow from 1895 onwards. |
| 1880 | Opening of the Frankfurt Opera House (the Alte Oper, Old Opera House). The construction of the building is largely funded through donations from rich citizens. |
| 1888 | Opening of the Hauptbahnhof (main railway station). |
| 1890 | Frankfurt has a population of about 180,000. |
| 1891 -1912 | Under Franz Adickes as mayor, Frankfurt developed into a modern industrial and commercial city. A number of major events and exhibitions serve to revive the old tradition of trade fairs. |
© Helmut Nordmeyer, Translation: Hugh Beyer
