In this podcast, the hosts answer questions about the French Revolution, including why they didn't take inspiration from the American constitution. They explore the challenges faced by the National Assembly, the radicalism in Paris, and funding for the revolution. They also discuss their plans for a French Revolution TV show and future episodes.
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Quick takeaways
The French revolutionaries did not take inspiration from the American Constitution due to their strong monarchist beliefs and hesitation towards democratic government.
Public support for the French Revolution varied over time and across different regions, classes, and groups, influenced by factors like religious reforms, economic impacts, and social structures.
During the Legislative Assembly era, moderates faced challenges in establishing a stable government due to a poorly designed Constitution of 1791, gridlock, instability, and the decision to go to war.
Deep dives
Why the French didn't copy the American Constitution
The French revolutionaries did not take more inspiration from the American Constitution due to their strong monarchist beliefs and hesitation towards democratic government. They wanted to maintain a king and were not open to the idea of an elected president. The French revolutionaries had a different starting point and cultural context, making an American-style presidency unthinkable for them.
Changing support for the French Revolution
Public support for the French Revolution and its events varied over time and across different regions, classes, and groups. It was not a static or uniform sentiment. Factors like religious reforms, economic impacts, and social structures influenced the level of support or opposition to the revolution. Support fluctuated and could change dramatically due to various reasons.
Challenges faced by moderate revolutionaries
During the Legislative Assembly era, moderates faced challenges that undermined their ability to establish a stable government. The poorly designed Constitution of 1791, which lacked resolution mechanisms, led to gridlock and instability. Additionally, the decision to go to war exacerbated tensions and hindered moderation. These factors made it difficult for moderate forces to succeed.
Taxation system during the French Revolution
The French Revolution led to the introduction of new taxes to replace the incoherent tax policies of the old regime. These included taxes on land, movable property (excluding land and industry), business activities, and later, a tax on windows and doors. However, tax revenue initially played a limited role, as the government heavily relied on money creation to fund itself.
Casting a French Revolution movie
If making a movie about the French Revolution, some potential casting choices could include Timothy Chalamet as Saint-Just, Tom Hanks or Bradley Cooper as Louis XVI, Anthony Hopkins or Andy Serkis as Mirabeau, Adam Driver as Camille Desmoulins, and Margot Robbie as Marie Antoinette. Casting for other key roles, like Robespierre, is still open for suggestions.
In the second and final Q&A episode, we’ll be covering why the French revolutionaries didn’t take more inspiration from the American constitution. We'll also explore ways a more moderate revolution could have been successfully established, as well as discuss how support for the revolution changed over time. Finally, we'll unpack financial questions relating to the new regime, as well as select actors for a hypothetical French Revolution TV series.
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About
Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon is a podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of our history. By examining both the experiences of contemporaries and the conclusions of historians, Grey History seeks to unpack the ambiguities and nuances of the past. Understanding the French Revolution and the age of Napoleon is critical to understanding the history of the world, so join us on a journey through a series of events that would be almost unbelievable if it weren't for the fact that it's true! If you're looking for a binge-worthy history podcast on the Revolution and Napoleon, you're in the right place! Enjoy the Revolutions podcast? You'll love this!