Why Is It Important To Understand The French Revolution?

The French Revolution was not just a period of bloodshed and violence; it was a socio-political war. Outram writes in his “Le Langage Male De La Vertu: Women and the Discourse of the French Revolution” that it is just as important to understand the revolution by studying class struggles, war and terror that led to and occurred during the revolution, as it is to understand the political discourse that resulted from it (Outram, Le Langage Male De La Vertu: Women and the Discourse of the French Revolution, p.120). Words were a powerful element during the revolution and, in fact, were in many cases synonymous to power. Words desiring change and reform against the notions and policies of the Old Regime, and the “denunciation of power” itself was
Not only did women take on critical roles in the family, they also made numerous contributions to the revolution. Women from all parts of the country-- women of Pontarlier, Besancon, Chalons and several others-- sacrificed their dowry and wedding rings to provide financially for these soldiers who are fighting in the fronts lines of the revolution. These women were able to send 20,000 pounds of sheets to aid the wounded, and make clothes and knit stockings to clothe their husbands and sons who were serving in the revolution. The women did not just sit around waiting for their men to get back; while their husbands and sons were fighting in the front, women gathered together to fight an internal battle at home. Great examples of women really actively serving amongst the men are the women of Lons le Saulnier, Macon, and Cote who at the start of war against Austria “armed themselves with pitchforks and pans and declared they would defend their homes and children in the absence of their men, and if their men were defeated than they would make a last stand (p.100). The women of Tarbes and Port en Bessin armed themselves with kitchen knives and erected coastal barriers to prevent the English from crossing on shore (p.101). There was this sense of liberty in their actions-- to be able to stand up for what they believed in, to have a purpose and commonality, to be independent, and to be able to fend for themselves. However, this was not for all women and many did not necessarily feel the urgency to change and reform so soon. Some simply adapted to the conditions of Old Regime France. Maintaining order was not exactly the best, but with these outside authorities becoming deemed as unnecessary and ineffectual, the power to maintain the law resided within individual local communities. And with a