Eli’s Mind

1) During the meeting of the Estates General, the Third Estate, representing the commoners and majority of the population, found themselves marginalized by the privileged First and Second Estates. Frustrated with the outdated feudal system and the lack of representation, they broke away, forming the National Assembly, signaling the beginning of the French Revolution. This act of defiance highlighted the deep-seated social and economic grievances that would fuel the revolutionary fervor.

2) The principles of the French Revolution in its first three years were encapsulated in the motto “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.” The revolution aimed to overthrow the absolute monarchy, establish a constitutional government, and promote the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity among the citizens. Key events such as the Storming of the Bastille, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, and the abolition of feudal privileges reflected these principles as the revolutionaries sought to create a more just and equitable society.

3) In 1794, during the Reign of Terror, the town of Lyon experienced one of the most brutal atrocities. Under the orders of the National Convention and the Committee of Public Safety, led by Maximilien Robespierre, thousands of suspected counter-revolutionaries were executed by guillotine. The streets ran red with blood as the revolutionaries sought to purge the city of dissent. Families were torn apart, and fear gripped the populace as anyone perceived as an enemy of the revolution faced swift and merciless justice.

4) After Napoleon came to power, the situation of the Church in France underwent significant changes. Through the Concordat of 1801, Napoleon reconciled the Catholic Church with the French government, restoring some of its privileges while also asserting state control. The Church regained its authority over religious matters, but its land and property confiscated during the revolution were not fully restored. Overall, Napoleon’s rule brought a measure of stability to the relationship between the Church and the state, albeit with significant concessions to secular authority.