The Revolution


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silverstar

Aristocracy
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In the early days of the Revolution there were rumours
that the rioters were being paid to riot.
Rumours abounded that the super rich Duc D'Orleans was financing the unrest or was it agents of the British Government?
Somehow... with the bloody course of events and the execution of the King and Queen... I cant think that the British Monarchy took any pleasure in seeing the sufferings of Marie Antoinette and the demise of the French Monarchy... they must have feared a similar movement taking hold in Britain.
No doubt in trade and finance Britain pulled ahead of France in those years but Im sure everyone was horrified to read in their papers and news sheets the endless accounts of riot , violence and bloody execution taking place in Paris.
 
reply to Revolution

I have read of stories that it was the British Ambassador who was paying people in the streets to riot; all were lies and rumours. I believe King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette were good people who were caught up in a situation that was no longer in their control. The centuries have passed and the French love their republic aa the British are proud of their ancient monarchy. Two peoples vastly different on their version of governance; luckily someday a new European government will oversee the continent.
 
but there are powers at work in France who wish to
restore the monarchy.
If it was a choice between King Louis 16th and Nicholas Sarkozy ..... I know who I d choose !
 
re. Revolution

I too think that monarchy draws a link to a nation's past; certainly the oldest and greatest was the French monarchy. Unfortunately the times have past; I agree that many French People long for the return of the monarchy but the majority enjoy their republic. Democracy still wins out in the end. I just realized that in 1989 when the French celebrated their 200th anniversary of the revolution NOT ONE reigning monarch in Europe attended the events. THAT was fascinating to me ; after all that time royalty sticks together in remembrance of a a murdered king and queen.
 
I did nt realize ....until recently....that the Eiffel Tower was actually built to commemorate the Centenary of the French Revolution..... but then
...its completion date 1889... I should have guessed !

Its a brilliant monument and still the most visited paid monument in the world with millions ascending the tower every year.
( Cant think why London never built something similar years ago........... instead of that stupid Millenium dome !)
 
revolution

Between you and me the Brits have done just fine without any metal tower overlooking the sky! One has to respect a people and nation for their political choices. I personally think no nation ever did as well as the Brits in combining their ancient monarchy with a representative parliament. It was the best of both worlds. My opinion. I sympathize with the French monarchists but they realize most of the French like their republic.
 
but there are powers at work in France who wish to
restore the monarchy.
If it was a choice between King Louis 16th and Nicholas Sarkozy ..... I know who I d choose !
;) To have or not to have a new Monarchy in France. The times have changed since the revelution has taken place. The real question is if the majority of the people want to have the monarchy back. I think it is a fascinating avenue of thought, Truthfully whether a person becomes the president, a ruler, or is the King it is important to remeber that it is so for only one reason. That is the Lord of hosts has blessed them for a season. :franceflag3::turkey:
 
The throne of England

It has fasinated me how the Queen of England is still beloved by the people of her country. I was struck in surprize when Queen Elizabeth came to the state of Virgina, USA and she recieved a royal greeting from the citizens here in the USA. She had traveled to see Williamsburg Va. For the 300 year celabration. It really was something to see, the Queen of England on soil that rebelled against the home land just over 200 years ago. Not just here in the USA but also adored by many of the people. I guess this speaks volumes of the person the Queen is and the hope for the French monarchy.
 
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Somehow... with the bloody course of events and the execution of the King and Queen... I cant think that the British Monarchy took any pleasure in seeing the sufferings of Marie Antoinette and the demise of the French Monarchy... they must have feared a similar movement taking hold in Britain.
I believe as well, that they must have feared something similiar in their country. But then again, France was a huge rival for Britain. I can imagine that they perhaps felt some kind of malicious joy.

I believe King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette were good people who were caught up in a situation that was no longer in their control. The centuries have passed and the French love their republic aa the British are proud of their ancient monarchy. Two peoples vastly different on their version of governance; luckily someday a new European government will oversee the continent.
For sure they were good people, but they were horrible rulers. Marie was far too childish for her role and Louis hadn't enough self confidence. The French gentry influenced his gouvernment too much and it was also too much after tradition. They should have changed...moved on. You know what I mean.

( Cant think why London never built something similar years ago........... instead of that stupid Millenium dome !)
Wouldn't it be sad, if London had a reason to build such a thing? After all, the revolution caused the break down of this monarchy. I don't want the British monarchy to suffer the same. After all I support the monarchy as state form - that's why I'm a member of this forum ;)



I think it's a good thing, that there are state's which have become a democracy. Each state has to decide by itself, what it wants to be. Or better said, the people have to decide, after all, they are the state. The french chose a republic, whilst the British have sticked to their monarchy, both of them have their reasons. And why not?
 
Im sure there must be huge interest in France
about the French monarchy.... perhaps especially Marie Antoinette.
I think they are lucky to have the incredible
Versailles... intact and in place.... it could so easily have been looted during the Revolution and burned to the ground by angry mobs.

It was in October 1789 when the March of the Women took place ... basically an unruly mob... and they stood outside the Palace of Versailles in the rain demanding that the King and Queen return with them to Paris.

A similar scenario in Windsor with a London mob outside Windsor Castle would have been answered by a volley or two from the Guards regiment or one of the many military regiments on hand.

Incredibly back in October 1789 ... perhaps with Lafayettes advice... the King agreed to prepare his family and return to Paris with the bloodthirsty mob !

Something was very wrong with the military back then.... they must have been hugely demoralized... the nobility too...

But then King Louis 16th himself.... like his aunts said to Marie Antoinette... "he's not like other men "
In fact he was hopeless... indecicive, dithering... weak.
In those later years Marie Antoinette must have despaired at his lack of will and command.
 
The truth is when so many have so little and so few have so much and care less about the many, you get revolution, i.e, France, Russia.
 
The truth is when so many have so little and so few have so much and care less about the many, you get revolution, i.e, France, Russia.

You are absolutly right! They should have acted instead of holding on to something already death sentenced.
And it only makes sense, why the guards didn't stop the women back then.
 
Also, the guards had been fighting in the American war for Independence several years earlier, and as such had witnessed and fought for the ideas of the french revolution (no taxation without representation, equality etc) being put into place! Coming back to a kingdom that was very much engaged in feudalism and everything they had been fighting against in America, it isn't much of a surprise that they didn't support an absolute monarch....
 
And so the "Revolution" arrived to bring the real peace to France....Everybody seems to forget all the terror&blood&lies brought by this "Revolution".
 
It makes me sick in the guts that people celebrate and honor a day marked by deaths of innocents all in the name of liberty. How can you enjoy your sweet liberty knowing it was based on lies and murder. Ending with Napoleon, A dictator who plowed through Europe and caused even more deaths. The very thing so called Revolutionaries were trying to escape?

People all say things were done in the name of god that were atrocities, but what about in the name of liberty? To be free and independent. Tell that to the 9 year old Louis who was thrown in a cell for six months with no light, no food and wadding in his own excriment. Tell that to the nuns slaughtered by the hundreds or the other thousands that endured the reign of terror. Barbaric!

And whats worse is even to this day these people are judged, ridiculed and lable calious royalty.

It seems france's Liberty was for only the parisians and blood thirsty power grabbers. The shear fact that nearly every history book I have read has stated France WOULD have came to a constitutional nation anyway had the king not be sent to madame la guillotine.

Australia apologised to the Aboriginal people for the crimes they commited. Maybe the head of France can walk straight up to Louis XX and say sorry!!!
 
King Louis XVI

I agree with you on practically everything you wrote. I also know that the victors write the history books. We know in our hearts that King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette were innocent of the crimes the French Republic accused them of; no matter what some books state. THAT is why the French wish to concentrate on the events of 1789 and not the reign of terror. Who wouldn't?? What country wants to talk about the murder of a King and Queen and the little innocent Dauphin? The King's sister? Antoine Lavoisier, the father of modern chemistry? How many thousands of innocents murdered. We Americans were lucky to have escaped the barbarism and bloodshed of the French Revolution. WE can still pray for Their Majesties and all the innocents of the crimes against humanity.
 
What everyone seems to forget is the miserable existence the French lived under their monarchy. That the treatment they dished out, was how they lived, basically reversed. Was that right. No. Did Louis XVI deserve his treatment. No. He was better than many of his family. He just was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Louis was a plodder and Marie a frivolous woman. The children's treatment is unforgiveable. But the monarchy's treatment of their subjects for many, many years before this opened the door. Pent up anger and hatred exploded, untamed.
 
Wait till the inevitable next revolution when the current fifth, or subsequent republic turns in on itself.
 
King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette

I certainly agree that conditions were not the best in France on the eve of the revolution; bad weather and a terrible harvest. Yet, France had a growing middle class and it was their desire for power that was behind the movements for reform. King Louis XVI was a good Christian man who loved science and reading. I disagree with you re. the comments that Queen Marie Antoinette was frivolous. Certainly as a young girl when she first came to France. However she matured and was touched by so much tragedy. She lost her diaughter Sophie Helene and then the Dauphin dies at the opening of the Estates Generale. This Queen showed MORE CLASS and BREEDING than anyone in her nation ;especially on her way to the guillotine. She remains for me one of the most maligned figures in history.
 
Yes, she suffered as a mother, yes, she was not the "evil" queen many portray her as. I didn't mean frivolity in the way of waste, but she built gardens and the Hameau, at a time when people had very little. She was bright and well read. I liked her. Of course, she had more beeding than many others, she was an Austrian ArchDuchess, as well as the Queen of France. Her mother was an Empress. She knew how to deport herself.
 
Wait till the inevitable next revolution when the current fifth, or subsequent republic turns in on itself.

I think that the fact France has had 5 goes at a republic actually shows a monarchy might make a comeback in the future. Hopefully if it does it won't be as bloody as the French Revolution
 
What really happened on that wet October night in 1769 ?
The women had spent all day marching there... soaked to the skin... feet covered in mud.....
Lafayette and his militia didnt get there till midnight... huge A huge crowd built up around the palace... often
angry and threatening..... what did Lafayette do... he
went to a local hotel and immediately fell into a deep sleep.
Of course , in the early hours , ( while Lafayette slept ) security was breached and a bloodthirsty mob broke into the palace and began hunting Marie Antoinette.... who then fled for her life.
The next morning... to placate the angry mob King Louis suddenly announced to the crowd that he would return with them to Paris with his wife and family.
It seems incredible that he made this decision... on the spot.. without consulting anyone... giving in to the mob and then having to travel on a humiliating 8 hour journey to Paris
Marie suffering abuse and threats from the fisherwomen and rough market women...

What should really have happened is Lafayette and his militia should have restored control and order.... violence would have ensued but the crisis would have passed and the King and Queen would be safe and secure in Versailles.
Time and time again we see a weak King .. dithering... unable to make tough decisions and having ... misplaced faith and trust in .. " the French people " or in that case.. the " French Mob "

Marie Antoinette must have despaired at her weak, docile husband
 
There was an interesting repeat of history.... in 1870...
Empress Eugenie was living in the Tuileries Palace...
Emperor Louis Napoleon was with his troops.... trying to lift morale against the onslaught of the Prussian army.
The French army faced defeat and Louis was captured.
The fickle Paris mob began to turn against the monarchy...
Fearing for her life ...Eugenie decided she must flee....
She escaped Paris in a horse drawn carriage.... and eventually made it to England and safety.
It was like a later day... flight to Varrens.... only this time with a happy outcome.
Louis and her son eventually joined her there in England and they lived in some style.
Sadly ill health took its toll on Louis Napoleon and he died a couple of years later.
Eugenie's son grew to manhood and joined the British Army.
While serving in South Africa he was ambushed by Zulu warriors and killed.
Eugenie... heartbroken... eventually travelled to South Africa and visited the scene of her sons ambush and killing.
She lived on to a grand old age and lived to see her arch enemies... the Germans... defeated by France and the allies in the first world war.
 
The can be no doubt that the violence of the French Revolution was terrible, certainly nothing to be proud of. Sadly, humanity has not really progressed beyond that sort of thing these days.

But so much of today's political landscape can trace its origins to the Revolution. Today's remaining monarchies in Europe owe their existence in part to their response to the Revolution. Before 1789, the only monarchies that we could describe as constitutional monarchies were Britain, Poland and Sweden. Britain had its Glorious Revolution to affirm the supremacy of Parliament. Poland long had a parliamentary tradition, but the liberal reforms of 1791 was too late to save it from partition. Sweden long had its parliament and council, and the Age of Liberty in the 18th century. Legislative bodies of a sort existed in most European monarchies, but their powers varied- in Denmark, there was from 1660 to 1849 a "pure" absolutism without even that, whose effect was actually to break the influence and privilege of the nobility.

The First Republic, as we all know, exported its revolutionary ideas throughout Europe through the creation of client republics, and became more of a military state with Napoleon in power. Then Napoleon decided to take things in a different path- he created his own monarchy with himself as Emperor, and exported his new ideals throughout Europe as well, by creating client monarchies. But this also led to more wars involving much of Europe. It's true that Napoleon brought some progressive reforms- and that included equality before the law, etc.

While the Congress of Vienna restored the "old" order, France never reverted back to the absolutism of the Ancien Regime. And constitutionalism became permanent in Europe. However, the Bourbon Restoration would break down too, and a more liberal monarchy came under the House of Orleans, who played their part of the revolution.

In effect this meant you found two different versions and visions of monarchy: the traditional way and the more modern and liberal way. In a sense, Napoleon believed he was creating a "Third Way" between the radical republicans and reactionary royalists. The Orleans did exactly the same, calling it le juste milieu- the "balance" between radical and reactionary. But at the same time, we could see that at the tail end of the Napoleonic Wars, Norway was drafting their constitution, which remains in force today. They took on board ideas from France and the US, but decided on a constitutional monarchy, and they are very proud of their constitution. The Netherlands did the same (albeit heavily amended over time). The events of 1830 and 1848 (which was as much about liberalism as it was about nationhood in Germany and Italy) really only continued the political evolution.
 
Napoleon's mother became known as ... Madamoiselle Mere... I believe
incredible that her children grew up to become rulers of half of Europe....
Austria... a rival of France for centuries, yet Napolean defeated them ... there were some amazing victories for the French at that time.
Just wondering... was there ever a victorious entry of Napoleon into Vienna ? that would be very symbolic .
 
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It was Austria's Metternich who through the Congress of Vienna re-established the "old order" in Europe from 1815, which was to last to 1848 and ultimately ended with German Unification in 1871. France of course underwent numerous political changes in that time. When Franz Josef took the Austrian throne in 1848, he ended the power of Metternich, although in Austria this was the time of neo-absolutism.

I am doing an essay on historic and current monarchist movements, and the developments during and after the Revolution are or will be mentioned, in explaining why there are three distinct French monarchist movements.
 
I think to understand the French Revolution we have to study
the Duc D'Orleans and the Palais Royal.... which seems to have been
a hedonistic domain of brothels and prostitution and a place for radicals to meet.
Also there were printing presses in there so it was a source for the tidal wave of pamphlets and pornography which defamed Marie Antoinette and the Monarchy.....
I dont think the authorities in London would ever have allowed
such a set up in the heart of London back then !
go here
Celebheaven • View topic - Philippe Egalite... Duc d'Orleans
 
Oh, you don't think the horrendeous conditions that the populace lived under and the lack of justice that they faced, had anything to do with it. Just "hedonistic domain, where radicals could meet", did it?
 
But those radicals and their printing presses were supplying the
combustable fuel..... ie political and pornographic pamphlets .....for those hungry masses to read...... and the scheming
Duc D'Orleans was giving the discontented a place to meet and plot the downfall of the monarchy.
 
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