Journey Through Time 46. The Paris Commune: France’s Bloodiest Revolution (Ep 1)
Nov 10, 2025
Explore the Paris Commune of 1871, a radical working-class uprising sparked by France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. Learn about the diverse coalition involved—from soldiers to artists—and how the siege conditions shaped the political landscape. Discover the influence of revolutionary ideals, the role of women organizers, and the brutality of urban warfare that made this one of history's bloodiest conflicts. The discussion also touches on Otto von Bismarck's strategic maneuvers that destabilized France and set the stage for this upheaval.
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Paris As Stage And Political Actor
- The Paris Commune was a 72-day experiment where Paris attempted to govern itself separate from the national government.
- The city acted as both stage and political actor, claiming to represent the people against an illegitimate government.
A Tradition Of Street Revolution
- The Commune drew on a long French revolutionary tradition where power could be seized from the streets and barricades became symbolic.
- Its violence and legacy shaped revolutionary movements into the 20th century as a model and warning.
Unmatched Urban Bloodshed
- The final battles of the Commune were bloodier than the French Revolution's Reign of Terror in Paris.
- The suppression produced the bloodiest urban battles in modern Western Europe up to that time.
