Tag Archives: revolution
The first phase of the French Revolution, 1789 – 91
This revision podcast is designed for students studying the French Revolution. Beginning with the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, this episode explores the first phase of the revolution up to the summer of 1791. Beginning with the August Decrees and the Declaration of the Rights of Man, it goes on to explore the challenges faced by the Constituent Assembly. The terms of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy are explained before going on to present an overview of the terms of the Constitution published in September. The podcast then explores the challenges to the revolution including the emigrées, divisions between the Jacobins and the Girondins, and the role of foreign powers. The episode concludes with an overview of the Flight to Varennes and the demonstration at the Champs de Mars.
Short overview of the storming of the Bastille, 14 July 1789
The morning of the 14th July 1789 saw the beginning of the French Revolution when Parisian revolutionaries stormed the Bastille, a large fortress, prison and ammunition store that symbolised everything that was wrong with the monarchy.
The political spectrum during the French Revolution
A great diagram to illustrate the political spectrum during the French Revolution. Original source unknown.
The French Revolution: Radicalisation of the Revolution, 1791-93
This revision podcast follows events from the first meeting of the Legislative Assembly in October 1791 to the execution of the King in January 1793. Growing tension between the revolutionaries and the King are explained through Louis’s decision to continue vetoing laws, the issuing of the Brunswick manifesto, and the King’s imprisonment in the Temple. As well as struggling to fight a war against Austria and Prussia, the revolutionary government was faced with internal struggles. The divisions between the deputies in the newly-elected National Convention are discussed against the backdrop of the September Massacres of 1792. The episode ends with an overview of the trial of Louis and his eventual execution by guillotine on January 21st 1793.
First execution using the guillotine
An overview of the invention of the Guillotine and its first use in an execution on 25th April 1792.
The origins of ‘La Marseillaise’
On the 30th July 1792, a group of volunteer soldiers from the city of Marseille were the first to introduce and sing “La Marseillaise” in Paris.
France’s ‘Second Revolution’: the storming of the Tuileries Palace
On the 10th August 1792, French revolutionary troops stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris.
A brief overview of the execution of Louis XVI
On the 21st January 1793, former French King Louis XVI was executed by guillotine at the Place de la Revolution in Paris.
