French revolutions

Another history post - blame the insomnia.  And hey, I'm a historian; this is what you signed up for.

When I mention France to people, many make jokes about barricades or protests or revolutions.  If something big is happening here there is often the semi-serious questions, have the barricades come out yet?  Are people burning cars?  Have they taken to the streets?

Undoubtedly everyone remembers the rather violent protests of 2005 in the outskirts of Paris; many will remember, or know about, the very active protesting and riots that went on here (and much of the rest of the world) in the late 60's.  But to be honest, these things are not really out of the ordinary in most of Western Europe, or even the US at times.  So why do the French have this reputation for fomenting revolution at the drop of a hat?

First, I think people, especially Americans, are inclined to conflate strikes and protests.  They are very much not the same things and have very different goals.  But from afar strikes here might seem to reflect general unrest - especially when large organizations like the SNCF, the company that runs the trains, strikes.

More importantly, though, it is true that the French have a mentality of revolution, or these days, of protest.  It's part of their history and very much a part of French heritage.  Why?  Because it has worked effectively in the past in this country. 

France had the first successful revolution (ie, not any kind of coup or military action) in history.  (Wars of independence, by the way, are not the same as revolutions, much as Americans will refer to the American "revolution.")  The French Revolution permeated every aspect of life in France from the system of government to how people worshiped to how they addressed each other.  It overturned a system that had been in place for almost a thousand years.  Of course, it didn't last long - but the memory of the original French Revolution has lingered even to this day.  It has been the reference point for any unrest here in the last two hundred years. 

To give an idea of just how much the idea of insurrection and revolution permeated French society here are the important uprisings, revolutions, and insurrections from the 19th century after Napoleon's empire fell.  Keep in mind these are just the major ones; there were many, many smaller ones.  Also, these are just in Paris unless specified.

July 1830, known as the "July Revolution" or "Glorious 30s" - overthrew the monarch and placed a different branch of the monarchy on the throne

1831, Lyon - started by a very large group of silk workers; failed

1832, insurrection of Les Miserables - similar groups of people who started the 1830 revolution were unhappy with the new king's catering to the bourgeoisie; failed

April 1834 - working people in Lyon and Paris; failed, very bloody

1839 - another of the same, again failed

1848 - Paris-centric effort to take down the monarch, successful, started the 2nd Republic; however Louis Napoleon, who took over with the support of the less radical countryside, soon declared himself emperor

1851 - Primarily in the countryside, reaction against Louis Napoleon's coup d'etat; failed

1871, Paris Commune - basically ended all barricade-driven violent insurrection in France as it turned into a mini-civil war and was quashed only with a lot of bloodshed


So in the span of about 40 years there were eight violent insurrections, three of which either completely overthrew a government or had a major impact on policy.  Of course, the US and other European countries watched France during this time period and concluded it was still in revolution mode from 1789 - perhaps they weren't wrong.  It was really the late 19th century that secured France's place as the world leader in revolutions, and no one has really forgotten it. 

And much as there are no longer actual barricades here, I do hear the occasional French person, upset with the way some part of the government is operating, jokingly mention taking to the barricades or more seriously suggesting to go to the streets.  The spirit of revolution is very much alive here - always reminding the class in power that their ultimate check is the people. 

So I guess the reputation is deserved - and that is one of the main reasons I love this country.