3.29- The Purge of the Girondins

On May 31-June 2, 1793 Paris once again rose in armed insurrection against the national government.

Direct Link: 3.29- The Purge of the Girondins

Comments

[Hal]

One question I'd like to ask for next week is a bit of a biggy. What do you think the world would be like today if the Roman empire hadn't fallen? If it's even possible to begin somewhere with that kind of question...

Just also want to say I loved the history of Rome and think revolutions is an excellent podcast, thanks awfully Mike!

[Dong Jiang]

Hi, Mike,

A question is if you have recommended sites to visit around Paris, for RevolutionsPodcast fans?

Excellent podcast, although, I am more a Roman history fan.

Thanks,

[Zhi Yuan]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for all your incredible work so far. Your podcasts have inspired my question: which of the modern Chinese revolutions will you be covering in this podcast? Do you intend to cover the Xinhai Revolution, the Communist Revolution or the Cultural Revolution? I am excited for any and all of them!

Regards,
Zhi Yuan

[John]

The Paris mob has gone too far! And they are just getting warmed up.

[EJW]

Hey Mike! Your podcasts have been a part of my life since I was 11, and they got me started on studying history. So thanks.

A few questions for the 250th:

1. Over the course of making these podcasts, which have by necessity involved in depth research over a lot of different history, has your perspective on the driving forces behind historical events changed? If so, how? And how do you feel about the prevailing theories on the topic (great man, trends and forces, etc.)

2. "Revolutions" has obviously focused a lot on really bad leadership. (Charles, Louis, you idiots.) But "The History of Rome" discussed a bunch of really good leaders (as well as, you know, the others). So what do you think makes someone a truly great political leader?

3. Since Mrs. TheHistoryofRome/Revolutions made an appearance in the 100th episode, can we hear from the baby in this one?

--Elishe

[Kevin]

Hey Mike!

I was just wondering if there there any major events around the world that are relatively unknown because of being overshadowed by the events in Europe regarding French revolution.

Thanks,
Kevin

[Colum Taylor]

Hi Mike,

I hope this is the right place to ask you questions for the 250th podcast.

What I'd like to know is who do you think is the most incompetent figure in history you've covered so far?

All the best

Colum

[Randy Hellewell]

Hi Mike,
I'm curious what America was thinking as this was all unfolding. As most of the world went to war with France, was there any reaching out to the USA for any diplo/military support. I know we were small then, but any friend is better then no friend.

Thanks,
Randy

[Roger]

Hey Mike, big fan of THoR and listener from the beginning of Rev. You've mentioned that Talleyrand is, one of if not, your favorite historical figure. In the same vein, who is your most hated figure?

Follow up: If it's Benedict Arnold, what do you think of the very real opinion going around that Arnold was practically forced to betray the revolution?

[John]

Randy,

Not Mike here but George Washington and the Federalists wanted nothing to do with it, and they were deeply suspicious of the Revolution (for good reason as it turned out). The execution of Louis XVI gave them an easy out since our treaty of alliance was with the King and not the French nation. The Republican opposition, and their supporters, were pro-French until the XYZ affair but since they were never in power during this period it didn't matter.

So France didn't have a friend in the USA while all this was going on. So we screwed them on the treaty in 1783 and then abandoned them the first chance we got. But I think we later repaid them with interest in 1917 and 1944.

[Nathanael]

Mike, as an American, what most surprised you about the American Revolution when compared to what you learned in school or knew previously? Has your opinion of any of the major historical actors or events of that period changed? This question could apply to any revolution, but I though the American one would be the most interesting to hear about, as it has so much myth and legend surrounding it in the American psyche.

[robert mahoney]

Mike, I very much enjoy all of your stuff. I'm reading Caesar's Commentaries and there are constant references to "corn' .What is the reference to ?Barley ,wheat,both, either? And how did the hostage thing work? slaves? Guests until the stuff hit the fan? How did that whole situation work? Were they short term ,for life ,until the war was over? Were they family of chiefs etc or unlucky subjects? Suppose Caesar got double crossed,which he did,what happened to the hostages? Thanks.

[K. Gorbunov]

Found a cool map of the Royalist and Federalist revolts! Helps a lot for those who're unfamiliar with French geography.

http://pages.uoregon.edu/dluebke/301ModernEurope/Revolution_Menace.gif

[David Watson]

I'm loving this series. The French Revolution really is crazy!

A couple of questions..

When Cromwell was made/made himself Lord Protector of England, was there any suggestion that this should be a fixed time period, elected position? Indeed, was the 'Roman Republic' any part of English Republican thinking the way it clearly was for Amerians when they were setting up the American Republic?

Another question relating to Rome...it seems for the entire history of Rome, from the earliest records right on through, the Romans relentlessly harked back to a past 'Golden Age'. Given your sweep throuh the whole period, what do you think was the Roman Golden Age, if indeed there was one?

[Alex]

Hey Mike

1) Is there a faction or cause within either the French or English Revolutions, for example the Levellers, that you 'rooted' for?
2)With regards to the Federalist revolts, how significant was their local support, or were these just overactive political minorities?
3) Louis 16 seemed to have a strategy of buying off members of the Legislative Assembly that seemed to be quite extensive at one stage,what happened to that network of support and influence?