The Irony of The Republic that Never Existed
“The Republic One and Indivisible of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, or Death.” This statement is best known as the slogan of the French Revolution and is mentioned as a popular quote in A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. The French revolution, (as told by Wikipedia) was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France from 1789 to 1799 that had a fundamental impact on French history and on modern history worldwide. This war, that lasted 10 years, is the main focus of A Tale of Two Cities. The Slogan of The French Revolution, that was frequently mentioned in the book, is completely filled with Irony.
First starting with The Republic. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines a Republic as, “a state in which the exercise of the sovereign power is lodged in representatives elected by the people.” At this point in time, France was not a Republic. This, however, was what they were aiming for as the outcome of this ten year civil war. At the time, France was composed of total chaos, due to not having an official form of government. An example from the book, is a quote by the seamstress, referring to her cousin, just before she is guillotined. “What I have been thinking as we came along, and what I am still thinking now, as I look into your kind strong face which gives me so much support, is this: If the Republic really does good to the poor, and they come to be less hungry, and in all ways to suffer less, she may live a long time: she may even live to be old.” It is clear that she believes her death will provide hope to the republic, which doesn't even exist.
Liberty, as defined by Webster’s 1828 Dictionary means, “A state of society so far only abridged and restr...
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...l the deaths that occurred in this war, only succeeded to destroy a nation, taking them away from their goal.
As you can see, the statement “The Republic One and Indivisible of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, or Death.” is filled to the brim with irony. Who ever came up with this statement was clearly trying to picture France as the perfect Republic. When in truth, it only managed to give the people of France a false sense of hope and a belief that the continuation of the war would create the perfect Republic, that could never exist. Perhaps the revolutionaries should have rewritten their slogan. Something to the effect of, “The Aspiring Republic, having not yet succeeded in being One and Indivisible of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, and Death.” (dauntingbooks.wordpress.com)
Taylor Lundy
11/11/13
Works Cited
as told by Wikipedia)(dauntingbooks.wordpress.com)
Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty!: An American History. Fourth ed. Vol. 1. New York: W.W. Norton, 2012. 247-316. Print.
Clearly there never was just one French Revolution, but rather a series of revolutions. These occurred while the French struggled to create a new political and social system – one that would follow principles radically different to that of the ‘ancient’ regime. There were five regimes during the French Revolution between 1787 and 1800. However, despite this fragmented revolution, the same fundamental principles guided most of the revolutionaries involved. These principles included equality under law, centralisation of government, elimination of feudal rights, religious freedom and careers open to talent, not birth.
In Eric Foner’s book, The Story of American Freedom, he writes a historical monograph about how liberty came to be. In the book, his argument does not focus on one fixed definition of freedom like others are tempted to do. Unlike others, Foner describes liberty as an ever changing entity; its definition is fluid and does not change in a linear progress. While others portray liberty as a pre-determined concept and gradually getting better, Foner argues the very history of liberty is constantly reshaping the definition of liberty, itself. Essentially, the multiple and conflicting views on liberty has always been a “terrain of conflict” and has changed in time (Foner xv).
“Long live the Republic “ is what a guard shouted when Louis XVI got executed. Seeing the gruesome act their king getting beheaded led to many people horrified. The Jacobin leader Robespierre ‘s became very paranoid and killed thousands of people at guillotine . Robespierre’s tried to protect the Revolution but this plan backfired . Also the introduction to the proposal of “Republic of virture“ which angered many people. The Jacobin leader were power hungry tyrants because of the events of the Reign of Terror beheadings of the guillotine, the attempt to protect the revolution and the proposal of a “Republic of virtue”.
Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard is a non fiction book on the killing of James
“Society was cut in two: those who had nothing united in common envy; those who had anything united in common terror.” The French Revolution was a painful era that molded the lives of every citizen living in France and changed their ways of life forever. Beginning in 1789 and lasting ten years until 1799, the people of France lived in a monarch society under King Louis XVI’s rule. He was a very harsh ruler and had many restrictions placed on his people. They eventually overthrow him and become a monarch society. Among his deceptive ways, the people also experienced “The Reign of Terror,” which was a period where many lives were taken by the guillotine. Other revolutionary events included rebellions, constitutions, and groups. One of the popular groups that contributed greatly to the French Revolution were the Jacobins who were led by Maximilien Robespierre.
When the King of England began to infringe on the colonists’ liberties, leaders inspired by the enlightenment grouped together to defend the rights of the American colonies. As Thomas Jefferson writes in the Declaration of Independence, “History of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these States” (Jefferson 778). The citizens of France, inspired by the enlightenment, desired a government run by the people. Marquis de Lafayette wrote, “Men are born and remain free and equal in rights; social distinctions may be based only upon general usefulness” (de Lafayette 783).
The French Revolution was a tumultuous period, with France exhibiting a more fractured social structure than the United States. In response, the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen proposed that “ignorance, neglect, or contempt of the rights of man are the sole cause of public calamities, and of the corruption of governments” (National Assembly). This language indicates that the document, like its counterpart in the United States, sought to state the rights of men explicitly, so no doubt existed as to the nature of these rights. As France was the center of the Enlightenment, so the Enlightenment ideals of individuality and deism are clearly expressed in the language of the document. The National Assembly stated its case “in
The French Revolution is believed to be caused by the corruption that the country was trying to achieve within their nation. Nietzsche goes on to say that “The essential thing, however, in a good and healthy aristocracy is that it should not regard itself as a function either of the kingship or the common-wealth, but as the significance highest justification thereof---that it should therefore accept with a good conscience the sacrifice of a legion of individuals.” What Nietzsche is trying to explain is that for a nation to work properly, both society must become one in order to prevail the fallen of the country.
Winthrop, John. “Liberty is the proper end and object of authority”. Our Nations Archive .
]“Little by little, the old world crumbled, and not once did the king imagine that some of the pieces might fall on him.” – Jennifer Donnelly. The French Revolution was a time period in which the people of its country had enough. They ripped up the thousand-year-old monarchy and redesigned their country’s way of government. The French Revolution was a time of struggle for its people. King Louis XVI had essentially bankrupted the country with his lavish spending and his involvement in the American Revolution. While the king was living a luxurious life, his people couldn’t even eat. During this time the king had people heavy taxes on the Third Estate, which consisted of 98% of the population, causing the French citizens to resent the monarchy. This lead to riots, looting, and strikes in a stance for better living conditions. Women of France had a specific hatred of the queen, Marie Antoinette. In the early days of October 1789, thousands of Partisans, several of which were women, walked
Foner, Eric. Give me liberty!: an American history. Seagull fourth ed. New York: W.W. Norton, 2014. Print.
The book Mourning Glory: The Will of the French Revolution Marie-Hélène Huet gives a great insight to different angles on the French Revolution. She elaborates on what the intent and purposes are, and how they would fuel The French Revolution. Huet argues that the ideology of the normal everyday lifestyle has been overlooked, and that revolution with violence is the key idea for the attitudes of revolutionist during the time period of 1789 and years later. She explains the comparison of how everyday lives and ideologies of the scientific reason and enlightenment made the people of France have the will and courage to establish a new regime.
“Freedom.” It is a word with many different connotations, but symbolizes one central idea: Liberty. Freedom has always been deeply embedded in the history of our nation. Throughout time, many Americans have fought for freedom. From the Pilgrims, who set sail from England to the shores of Cape Cod to escape religious persecution, to the Founding Fathers of America who fought for freedom from England’s oppression, our fellow Americans have always fought for what they believed in. They gained certain freedoms that they thought would not only be important to them, but to future generations. However, it is evident that society today does not value those same freedoms.
I do not know will this revolution will be accomplished or not. What I know is that even such liberal, supporter of equality people can do this, and there is nothing to believe by heart in this brutal world. I am sure that this revolution process affected and changed the lives of all the French people. They did the most extreme things during this period. What is most extreme for me is killing myself and now there I am at this point. I hope, my country goes well after me even I am s