The French Revolution in Politics, Culture and Society

About this course:

The French Revolution was one of the most climatic events in world history. French citizens radically altered their political landscape by uprooting centuries-old institutions, and showed the power inherent in the will of the people. In this course, we place special emphasis on the dramatic social, cultural and economic changes that revolutionaries tried to bring about between 1789 and 1799. We examine the abolishment of the nobility, the monarchy and class privilege as well as the nationalization of the Catholic Church, the creation of the Cult of the Supreme Being, the Reign of Terror, and the incredible changes in the basic ways men, women, workers and peasants could live and interact. In the centuries to come, all revolutions and revolutionaries looked to France’s as an indicator as to what might be possible—often leading to tragic results. This course will be recorded. Students will have access to videos for the duration of the course.