Madeline
Living the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon is the second course I have listened to from The Great Courses. Previously, I had listened to From Yao to Mao: 5000 Years of Chinese History, which was fantastic and I had learned a lot about Chinese history. Although I had heard a lot about the French Revolution, I did not understand what exactly it entailed, which lead me to Living the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon course from The Great Courses.
The Monarchy
When the monarchy was in charge in France, they dictated how everything worked and the laws were unequal and gave rights in an unfair way. The noble people and the clergy were not taxed. As the peasants have trouble finding food, the nobel people continue to live the high life, which causes friction back in Paris. As Marie-Antoinette famously, and supposedly said “Let them eat cake” when she learned that the people of France could not afford to purchase bread.
The Revolution
When the peasants became educated, due to a change in priority of education, they started to understand the oppression they were under. The monarchy was put on trial and pushed out of power and Maximilien Robespierre had stepped in as an elevated member of the Jacobin Club, the lead political club leading the revolution. As the revolution changes direction once again, Robespierre goes from being the hero to the villain and is eventually executed. This execution made room for Napoleon to rise up and become the new leader of France.
Napoleon
Napoleon was into politics from a young age and got his positive image from his time attempting to capture Egypt. Although the campaign was not successful, the news that spread back to Paris was nothing but good and the people welcomed him back with open arms and trust. As Napoleon gained more land around Europe, he made his family the nobility to rule the lands. At his fall, he realized he needed to escape France and considered the United States, but ended up exiled on an island in the Mediterranean.
The lecturer addresses Napoleon’s height. Although no one knows for sure how tall he was he was likely around five foot three inches. This may be short for a man in the United States today, but then, the height of an average French soldier was five foot five inches.
Final Thoughts About The Great Courses
Both the courses I have listened to from The Great Courses have been very thorough and easy to listen to. Although it difficult to retain all the information given, because there is so much detail, the general story is easy to remember. This was the second of many of these courses I will be listening to in the future.
Listen to Living the French Revolution and the Age of Napoleon
