EP 142: The French Revolution

This week on Hashtag History, we will be discussing the first French Revolution, a period in time that lasted from 1789 to 1799, in which the French people revolted against the monarchy and feudal system, amongst other things. To keep it brief, the primary reasons were the total social and economic inequality that existed – and had existed for a long time – in France. While the people were struggling to make ends meet, the monarchy was living in mansions and eating cake.

And while, of course, a revolution is not necessarily a novel concept (particularly at this time in history when the United States had only just recently ended its own revolution), the French Revolution stands out for…what some might call…its depravity. Because when I say the French revolted, I do mean that they revolted. At the end of this bloody conflict that – at one point would earn the name The Reign of Terror – both King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette would not only be removed from power, but also, would have their heads removed via guillotine. 

While I don’t advocate for that – nor do I advocate a revolution (please! I have lived through enough historical events in my lifetime; I do not need any more) – I do think we can find something inspiring from the French Revolution and that is that this was a revolution started by the people and for the people that really created massive change in the modern political structure of France that we see even today.

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- Rachel and Leah