Column: Comparing the French Revolution with the US today – The Morning Sun

The French Revolution (1789-1799) lasted until the ascent of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821). Years of medieval oppression and financial mismanagement led the French people to want changes in politics and institutions. They overthrew the monarchy and took charge of the government. King Louis XVI tried to use his absolute power to improve the life of his people, reform the monarchy, the government, and the society. Doing this left the country on the verge of bankruptcy.

Merchants, manufacturers, and professionals were excluded from political power. Two decades of poor harvests, drought, and disease led to economic crisis. Peasants and the poor turned against the monarchy. Intellectuals wanted societal reforms to bring greater equality and equity.

The trigger to revolution? The controller general of finances, Charles-Alexandre de Calonne, increased taxes. Tempers flared.

Louis called for a meeting on May 5, 1789, of Frances clergy, nobility, and middle class. Sessions stalled on June 17. On July 14 a mob attacked the Bastille for weapons and gunpowder starting the French Revolution. Peasants attacked the homes of the elites. The government abolished feudalism on August 4. On August 26 it adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen proclaiming liberty, equality, freedom of speech, popular sovereignty, and representative government. The first constitution was adopted on September 3, 1791 but was attacked by radical leaders as neither including a true republic, nor holding the king accountable. In October 1789, Louis, his family and others were taken from Versailles to a prison in Paris.

The period from 1793 to 1794, known as the Reign of Terror was the darkest period of the revolution.

Maximilien de Robespierre was an official representing the Jacobin Party and a principal planner of the Reign of Terror. He led the National Convention and the Committee of Public Safety. He passed laws that said anyone suspected of treason could be arrested and executed by guillotine. Thousands of people were executed. On January 21, 1793, Louis was condemned to death for high treason and crimes against the state and sent to the guillotine. His wife, Marie-Antoinette, was hated by commoners for her extravagance and was decapitated nine months later.

There were harsh wars with several European nations. In June of that year the Jacobins secured a majority of the National Convention. They established a new calendar and eradicated Christianity as a controlling agent of the country. Ironically, in July 1794 Robespierre was accused of treason and executed. The National Convention approved a new constitution with a bicameral government on August 22, 1795. Unfortunately, the new government was riddled with corruption. Young General Bonaparte took charge of the Army which staged a coup dtat on November 9, 1799, beginning the Napoleonic era and ending the French Revolution.

Today we face similar conditions with different twists. In 2020, U.S. voters cast aside DonnyT, who thought himself a king. He thought he had absolute power to make himself ever richer and punish those who opposed him. (The House Select Committee on January 6 Attack has revealed facts about his complicity.)

The COVID pandemic has brought death to over one million Americans. Climate change is real and is causing expanding food shortages. Instead of extending rights, the GOP and super majority on the Supreme Court have curtailed womens rights, and if left in power will prevent birth control, same sex marriage, medical aid for transgenders, and who knows what else (ask Clarence Thomas if biracial marriage will become forbidden). There have been over 300 mass shootings so far in 2022 in the United States. As for wars, we have a bin full. We must support Ukraine and Taiwan. Democracy must not change to totalitarianism. Search for facts and determine truth.

Ed Fisher writes a weekly column for the Morning Sun.

Go here to see the original:

Column: Comparing the French Revolution with the US today - The Morning Sun