#ancienregime

[obnoxiousprince]

The French Revolution: A Political Myth More Than a True Liberation

The French Revolution is often portrayed as the founding moment of modern liberty, equality, and democracy. In the collective imagination, it represents the victory of the people over the oppression of a monstrous Old Regime and the birth of a new, fairer, and purer world. Yet, when we take a closer look at the actual facts and consequences of this historic event, the glorified narrative starts to crumble, giving way to a far more nuanced, and even critical analysis.

A Moderate King Sacrificed, a Manipulated People

Louis XVI, the last king of France, is often caricatured as an absolute tyrant responsible for poverty and inequality. In reality, he was far from a rigid despot. On the contrary, he was a moderate, intelligent, and hesitant man, a victim of his own advisors and of a political and economic crisis beyond his control. The king had even agreed to summon the Estates-General and seemed open to the idea of a constitutional monarchy.

Moreover, the popular misery — particularly the shortage of bread — cannot be blamed solely on the sovereign. The context was complex, shaped by agricultural failures, economic instability, and social unrest. The people, often illiterate and fueled by anger, were manipulated and pushed toward violence.

Lofty Principles on Paper, Inequality in Practice

The Revolution mostly produced words, theories, and grand ideals: liberty, equality, fraternity, human rights. These declarations, while admirable on paper, were not followed by a real transformation of social relations.

The legal equality proclaimed as a universal right remained an illusion. In practice, the wealthy and powerful always had better access to justice, while the poor continued to be disadvantaged. Freedom of expression, though supposedly guaranteed, remained unequal: those at the top of society could say almost anything without consequence, while the vulnerable often faced repression.

Freedom of Thought: A Natural Evolution, Not a Violent Upheaval

Contrary to popular belief, freedom of speech and thought did not emerge from the French Revolution or from violent upheaval. Long before 1789, under the Ancien Régime, forms of public dissent already existed: pamphlets, caricatures, and open criticism circulated freely, showing a society already capable of debate.

History from other countries supports this idea:

In England, freedom of conscience, religious pluralism, and parliamentary monarchy developed gradually: Magna Carta (1215), Habeas Corpus (1679), Bill of Rights (1689).

In the Netherlands, a tolerant and modern state emerged through compromise and reforms over time.

Even the United States, despite its war of independence, relied on a structured constitution without unleashing mass terror or radically overturning its social order as happened in France.

These historical examples show that freedom of thought is a long, peaceful process of maturation, not the inevitable result of bloodshed and chaos.

After Louis XVI: Rulers More Authoritarian Than the King

The French Revolution removed a moderate king, only to usher in leaders far more authoritarian. Robespierre, through the Reign of Terror, established a dictatorial regime based on mass repression. Later, Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself emperor, reimposed censorship, centralized power, and rolled back several revolutionary gains, especially women’s rights.

The 19th century in France was marked by a series of authoritarian regimes: the Bourbon Restoration, the July Monarchy, and the Second Empire under Napoleon III. All these governments concentrated power and practiced repression, sometimes more harshly than Louis XVI, who by comparison appears almost restrained.

A Revolution Turned Political Tool: Myth at the Service of the Republic

Since the Third Republic, the French Revolution has been transformed into a state myth, actively used by presidents to legitimize the current system. This instrumentalization operates through powerful, enduring mechanisms.

A State Myth Perpetuated by Presidents:

Each republican regime has presented itself as the direct heir of the Enlightenment and human rights to:

Legitimize itself: “We are the heirs of the free people, of the Republic born from the Revolution.”

Cover up ongoing inequalities: “Everyone is free and equal” (at least in theory…).

Discredit any critique of the system: “You’re criticizing the Republic? Then you’re against democracy, against the people, against liberty.”

Every president, from De Gaulle to Macron, has symbolically positioned himself in this revolutionary lineage.

Republican speeches about secularism, the homeland, values, and the Republic are always delivered with the tricolor flag and the Marseillaise playing in the background.

The unspoken message is clear:

“We are the Revolution. Don’t question it.”

An Idealized Version That Locks Down Debate

This myth serves to shut down debate or alternatives:

It creates the illusion that power lies in the hands of the people, while in reality decisions are made by a technocratic, political, or economic elite.

It narrows the scope of thought: if the Republic comes from the Revolution, then questioning it means attacking democracy itself.

It crushes any other political model: monarchy? = reactionary. direct democracy? = populist. social critique? = conspiracy theory.

This control is reinforced through ritual repetition of symbols: Bastille Day (14 July), the Panthéon, Marianne, so-called “Republican values”.

School as a Relay of the Myth:

From early childhood, school teaches a sacred, binary history:

The good people versus evil elites.

Louis XVI = incompetent.

Robespierre = a hero.

Napoleon = a tragic genius.

There is no room for debate on:

Revolutionary massacres

The Jacobin dictatorship

Ongoing social inequality after 1789

This simplified, glorified narrative lacks nuance and serves one key purpose: to build a collective identity and erase historical contradictions.

Like all founding myths, it artificially unifies a divided society and imposes symbolic legitimacy on the regime.

Conclusion:

The French Revolution did not liberate the people in the way we are led to believe. It mostly replaced one form of power with another, often more authoritarian, while building a beautiful ideological façade filled with principles that were never fully applied.

Freedom of speech, far from being born amid the chaos of the Terror, is the product of a long, often peaceful historical evolution. Social justice and equality still remain unrealized ideals. And today’s elites, like those of the past, are skilled at using revolutionary symbols to maintain their authority.

Even now, the Republic speaks in the name of the people, yet acts in the interest of those far removed from it.

The French Revolution is less a liberating event than a political symbol used to lock in the system.

[whencyclopedia]

The Three Estates of pre-revolutionary France were the hierarchical social divisions that structured society under the Ancien Régime (French for "Old Regime," a term coined after the French Revolution to describe the pre-revolutionary system of government and society). The First Estate consisted of the clergy, who held significant influence, controlled vast wealth, and were exempt from most...

[charlinechristophe]

la mansarde est un véritable manoir

un extrait

#book #livre #bookers #booklover #lire #ecrire #roman #bouquin #ebook #epub #fantastique #fantome #amour #histoire #religieuse #ancienregime #heritage #loups #berger #etudiants #vacances #demon #sorcellerie

[emvidal]

The Dauphin Louis Auguste with his two brothers: Louis, Comte de Provence and Charles, Comte d’Artois - all three would become King of France as Louis XVI, Louis XVIII and Charles X respectively #thisisversailles #bourbon #frenchroyalty #frenchcourt #versailles #ancienregime #history #18thcentury #17thcentury #grandsiecle #louisxvi #louisxviii #charlesx

[theunabashedepicurean]

Detail of Madame Adélaïde’s lit à la Duchesse in her grand apartments at Versailles, sumptuously upholstered and swathed in resplendent @tassinarietchatel fabric. Photograph by Tom Garnier #chateaudeversailles #versailles #chateau #royalpalace #palace #royalapartments #mesdames #madameadelaide #marieadelaidedefrance #louisxv #ancienregime #louisxvstyle #tassinarietchatel #fabric #upholstery #litaladuchesse #bedroom #bedroomdecor #detail #interior #interiors #interiordecor #interiordecorating #interiordecoration #interiordecorator #interiordesign #interiordesigner #frenchstyle #frenchinteriors #royalinteriors (at Château de Versailles) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpNtxoMIU4j/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thelastduke]

Tiara Tuesday with the French Crown Jewels. Most of you know that emeralds are one of my favourite stones. So naturally I'm obsessed with the Angoulême Emerald Diadem. Created by the incomparable Jeweler Bapst around 1820 from stones of the Royal Treasury.(Bapst also created and resetted a lot of jewels for Empress Eugénie). I adore its sweeping shape! Its a wonderful representation of early 19th century exquisite jewellers craftsmanship. It appeared in @wartski1865 vault in the 1960s as simply an emerald and diamond diadem and was exhibited in the V&A before moving permanently to the Apollo Gallery in the Louvre. The Emeralds, all beautiful in colour are enhanced by a closed setting, a thing which is now quite unusual and this is done in the a very delicate way makingthem more reflective, set in silver and gold. ✨👑✨👑✨👑✨ #london #paris #france #louvre #tiaratuesday #tiara #diadem #diamonds #emeralds #bourbon #monarchy #duchess #angouleme #ancienregime #history #jewels #jewelry #19thcentury #bapst #aesthetic https://www.instagram.com/p/CHaHHTvnhlW/?igshid=96qdnkof5p3h

[jasonramsayphotography]

#chandelier #moody #french #ancienregime #cafe #hamilton #ontario #hamont #lowercity #highcontrast #hipstamatic (at Nuttybutter Café) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtCy7UshrBb_1Oe7urF0Dtzwa5iudKPvQG4dwo0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16sn0sekyvp1y

[3stylershop]

Ma ahimè sei nata tu. …. info ✉️ mail or 📩 direct …. http://bit.ly/2Kteclt …. #ladyoscar #lerosedeversailles #berubara #ladydalfioccoblu #lady #oscar #tshirt #tshirtdesign #3stylershirt #anime #cartoon #animeseries #japan #francia #ancienregime #versailles #revolution #1789 #mariaantonietta #robespierre #80s #animetshirt #maahimeseinatatu #ghigliottina #black #porpora #guardiareal #andre #lgbt #sexsymbol (presso 3styler) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwKVwU2Hqse/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17cfjs5duc24p

[flanerlocal-blog]

C’est une bonne condition «  chien » ? >> La réponse en images 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 #flanerlocal #lille #lillemaville #chien . . . . . #chienmignon #conditiondechien #viedechien #ancienregime #vivresouslancienregime #histoire #histoiredanimaux #chienstagram #etreunchien #lilloise #histoiredefrance #histoirefrançaise #histoiredechien #histoirederue #licencedhistoire #historique #XVIIe #XVIIIe #17eme #18eme #17emesiecle #18emesiecle #bulldog #bullbogfrance #histoiredelille #histoirevivante (à Lille, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAYCRk-lt9v/?igshid=sopqbkwcw8t3

[geoparkin]

73 meter-long Hall of Mirrors. Every home should have one. #versailles #hallofmirrorsversailles #france #ancienregime #louisxiv #louisxv #louisxvi #marieantoinette #frenchrevolution (at Versailles, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9hAPrBnqlB/?igshid=39l7shqt7zn7

[tynatunis]

Thanks so much to @artetvous . La chambre de L’Impératrice au grand Trianon ! Cette chambre fut aménagée à l’emplacement de 4 pièces de buffets réalisées pour Louis XIV. C’est au XIXème siècle que la pièce change de forme pour devenir la chambre de Madame mère puis de l’impératrice Marie-Louise. Cette pièce est de style éclectique avec un mobilier empire et des peintures du règne de Louis XIV. Sont visibles sur les murs des peintures de fleurs de Monnoyer. Les sièges de la pièce furent réalisés par Marcion en 1809 ainsi que les bergères. Deus vases étrusques de 1810 et deux candélabres à l’origine dans le boudoir de l’impératrice au Grand Trianon sont visibles. Puis se sont enfin deux somnos de Jacob Desmalter qui sont visibles au centre des chaises datant de 1837. La décoration de lambris reprend des éléments des appartements du château datant de Louis XV avec des éléments ajoutés soit le premier empire. C’est ici faste mais aussi un des seuls exemples d’une chambre et d’un salon réunis en une seule et même pièce reliées par deux colonnes colossales de style corinthien créant la jonction entre les deux espaces. . . . #baroquestyle #xviiicentury #classicalinteriors #france #frenchstyle #picoftheday #tourisme #tourism #history #histoire #art #arthistory #rococo #paris #versailles #dorure #ancienregime #princesse #princess #prince #king #queen #architecture #architect #trianon #grandtrianon https://www.instagram.com/p/BuacZr9Bq2P/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1aal0nqw1s8du

[whencyclopedia]

Coronation of Napoleon I

The Coronation of Napoleon I as Emperor of the French took place on Sunday 2 December 1804, in the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral. A sacred ceremony held to legitimize Napoleon's reign, the coronation signaled the birth of the First French Empire (1804-1814; 1815) and established the imperial Bonaparte Dynasty.

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[emvidal]

the restored apartment of the Dauphin, Louis-Ferdinand - particularly his study and that of his wife, Marie Josephe of Saxony

#thisisversaillesmadame #versailles #chateaudeversailles #madamedubarry #dauphin #ancienregime #louisxv #roidefrance #marieantoinette #18thcentury #court #france #louisferdinanddebourbon #mariejosephedesaxe #rococo

chateauversailles

[theunabashedepicurean]

Glorious Blythdunes, the French-style Palm Beach showplace of Jayne Wrightsman, doyen of New York society. Throughout her life, Mrs. Wrightsman was an avid collector of decorative arts from the ancien régime, amassing the finest private collection in the United States. Naturally then, when designing and decorating her new home, she retained the greatest tastemakers, including Stéphane Boudin, Henri Samuel and the Paris based firm Denning & Fourcade. I always find it so extraordinary that Mrs. Wrightsman had the parquet de Versailles from the Palais Royal in Paris lifted, transported across The Atlantic and installed at her beloved Blythedunes. #palmbeach #miami #florida #blythedunes #jaynewrightsman #artcollector #socialite #philanthropist #palmbeachflorida #interior #interiors #chinoiserie #chinesewallpaper #chinoiseriewallpaper #frenchdecorative #decorativearts #decorativeantiques #frenchdecorativeantiques #ancienregime #stephaneboudin #henrisamuel #denningandfourcade #decor #decoration #interiordesign #interiordesigner #interiordecor #interiordecoration #interiordecorating #interiordecorator (at Palm Beach, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpnb9rGIeqp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[thelastduke]

Dearest, won't You come into the garden? I would like My roses to see You. With all My Heart, with all My Heart. ✨✨✨ #london #monday #mood #mooddujour #paris #memories #nissimdecamondo #madparis #hotelparticulier #art #18thcentury #habitrouge #menswear #sartorial #ancienregime #foodforthought #words #poetry #instapoet #littlestoriesofmylife #love #withallmyheart #aesthetic https://www.instagram.com/p/CAC1ACNnsj3/?igshid=18n4hkhqusukl

[tonyanania2k-blog]

L’Ancien Régime non è morto, anzi, la mia pasticceria virtuale potete trovarla su YouTube (link in bio ⬆️) con delle video ricette facili e veloci. Novità in programma che vi rivelerò presto ❤️ #tonybakeoff #ancienregime #pasticceriavirtuale #youtube #cake #pastry #videoricette