The French Revolution
“Hit me hard and soft, philosopher zaddy!”
The French Revolution wasn’t just a historical event; it was a full-blown reality check for a monarchy that thought it could keep taxing peasants into oblivion while ignoring their cries for help. Sound familiar?
In our latest episode of Toonsplained, Stacey and I break down how 18th-century France spiraled into one of the bloodiest revolutions in history—and why its lessons are still relevant today.
The Build-Up to Revolution
Picture this: 97% of the population (the Third Estate) is starving while the aristocracy throws lavish parties. Bread prices are through the roof, taxes crush the working class, and Enlightenment thinkers like Rousseau start whispering, “Hey, maybe this isn’t how it’s supposed to be.”
Enter 1789. Tensions boil over when the people storm the Bastille, marking the beginning of the end for France’s monarchy. What followed was a whirlwind of political chaos, from drafting a constitution to chopping off the heads of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
The Art of Revolution
Revolution isn’t just about action; it’s about making a statement. The French used art to capture their ideals, like Jacques-Louis David’s Tennis Court Oath, which celebrated unity and defiance. And let’s not forget the guillotine—a stark, brutal icon of justice that literally leveled the playing field.
Modern Parallels
Here’s the kicker: many of the conditions that led to the French Revolution exist today. Rising inequality? Check. Billionaires hoarding wealth while people struggle to make ends meet? Double check. A climate crisis threatening to become the new bread famine? You get the idea.
But here’s where we can learn from history. Change doesn’t have to come through guillotines and chaos. It starts with recognizing the signs and making reforms before the people are left with no other choice.
What Can We Do?
While Stacey jokes about hanging an “Eat the Rich” poster, the message is clear: ignoring inequality leads to disaster. The French Revolution reminds us that liberty, equality, and fraternity aren’t just slogans—they’re survival tactics.
