Bastille Day

[jayem]

Today is the national festival in France. On July 14, 1789, a crowd of partisans stormed the Bastille in Paris, intending to free political prisoners. Though only 7 low level prisoners were released, the event is celebrated in France as the opening shot of the French Revolution, and the beginning of the end of the Bourbon monarchy, The First Republic of France lasted until 1804, when Napoleon had himself crowned as Emperor. Though the year before, he did agree to sell us the Louisiana Territory. Which nearly doubled the size of the US.

BTW, the First Republic of France battled Austria and Prussia, who were still monarchies. A song intended to inspire the French military in the conflict was very popular. Of course, it was La Marseillaise which became the national anthem. IMO, it is still the best of all national anthems. What other country's anthem mentions cutting throats, and spilling the enemy's blood into the dirt?

 

[public hermit]

Today is the national festival in France. On July 14, 1789, a crowd of partisans stormed the Bastille in Paris, intending to free political prisoners. Though only 7 low level prisoners were released, the event is celebrated in France as the opening shot of the French Revolution, and the beginning of the end of the Bourbon monarchy, The First Republic of France lasted until 1804, when Napoleon had himself crowned as Emperor. Though the year before, he did agree to sell us the Louisiana Territory. Which nearly doubled the size of the US.

BTW, the First Republic of France battled Austria and Prussia, who were still monarchies. A song intended to inspire the French military in the conflict was very popular. Of course, it was La Marseillaise which became the national anthem. IMO, it is still the best of all national anthems. What other country's anthem mentions cutting throats, and spilling the enemy's blood into the dirt?

The French Revolution was particularly brutal. I'm not surprised that brutality is captured by the national anthem, especially now that I learn it was meant to be "inspirational." Lol

 

[durangodawood]

I always feel like le Revolution was this mixed bag of justice, excess, and horror that I will never properly understand.

At least this has good riffs:

 

[jayem]

The French Revolution was particularly brutal. I'm not surprised that brutality is captured by the national anthem, especially now that I learn it was meant to be "inspirational." Lol

All that is true. For a time, Madame Guillotine was very busy. But OTOH, for how many centuries was the peasantry brutalized, oppressed, and exploited by the landed nobility? As Chairman Mao said, a revolution is not a dinner party.

 

[public hermit]

All that is true. For a time, Madame Guillotine was very busy. But OTOH, for how many centuries was the peasantry brutalized, oppressed, and exploited by the landed nobility? As Chairman Mao said, a revolution is not a dinner party.

That's a salient point. A so-called bloodless revolution is mighty rare but not unheard of.