The Myth of the Petroleuse

The torching of the tuilery was just the beginning of a more orchestrated and planned string of arsons. The leaders of the versailles forces believed that as many as eight thousand of these petroles were organized into fire brigades. And sure, maybe one or two women set some fires, but what happened in paris at the end of may 18 71 was mostly either ordered by commanders of the national guard or by the committee of public safety.