Women in the
French Revolution
Women in the
French Revolution
What was the role of women in the French Revolution?
What was the role of women in the French Revolution?
The French
Revolution
1789-1798
The French
Revolution
1789-1798
The Cultural ClimateThe Cultural Climate
Liberty! Equality! Fraternity!Liberty! Equality! Fraternity!
Enlightenment ideals.Enlightenment ideals.
The term “citizen” becomes The term “citizen” becomes more widely used, instead of more widely used, instead of gender specific titles.gender specific titles.
Female SoldiersFemale Soldiers
The Intervention of the The Intervention of the
Sabine WomenSabine Women by Davidby David
The Intervention of the The Intervention of the
Sabine WomenSabine Women by Davidby David
Théroigne de Mericourt1762-1817
Théroigne de Mericourt1762-1817
Participated in the Participated in the uprising of August uprising of August 1010thth..
I was at ease playing I was at ease playing the role of a man the role of a man because I was always because I was always extremely humiliated extremely humiliated by the servitude and by the servitude and prejudices under which prejudices under which men’s pride keeps our men’s pride keeps our sex oppressed.sex oppressed.
Renée BordereauRenée BordereauBecame known as Became known as the “Vendean Joan the “Vendean Joan of Arc”of Arc”
Fought against the Fought against the Republicans to Republicans to avenge the deaths avenge the deaths of 42 of her family of 42 of her family members on the members on the Royalist sideRoyalist side
Later imprisoned by Later imprisoned by Emperor NapoleonEmperor Napoleon
Other Female SoldiersOther Female SoldiersFranFrançoise Deprésçoise Deprés
Messenger, provisioner, troop Messenger, provisioner, troop leaderleader
Easily recognized because she was Easily recognized because she was missing an eye so she was often missing an eye so she was often imprisonedimprisoned
Jeanne RobinJeanne Robin
Kept her sex a complete secretKept her sex a complete secret
Only told her general’s wife Only told her general’s wife because she needed a lighter because she needed a lighter weight jacket but couldn’t ask him weight jacket but couldn’t ask him without giving up her coverwithout giving up her cover
The October DaysThe October DaysOctober 5, 1789October 5, 1789
Market-women fromMarket-women fromParis marched to theParis marched to thepalace in Versaillespalace in Versailles
Angry over the Angry over the increase in bread increase in bread prices and food shortagesprices and food shortages
““Tear out the Queen’s heart and fry her Tear out the Queen’s heart and fry her liver!”liver!”
FeministsFeminists
Mary WollstonecraftMary Wollstonecraft1759-17971759-1797
Mary WollstonecraftMary Wollstonecraft1759-17971759-1797
A Vindication A Vindication of the Rights of the Rights
of Womanof Woman (1791)(1791)
A Vindication of the A Vindication of the Rights of WomanRights of Woman
A Vindication of the A Vindication of the Rights of WomanRights of Woman
“…“…Civilized women are, therefore, so Civilized women are, therefore, so weakened by false refinement, that, weakened by false refinement, that,
respecting morals, their condition is much respecting morals, their condition is much below what it would be were they left in a below what it would be were they left in a state nearer to nature… To remain, it may state nearer to nature… To remain, it may be said, innocent; they mean in a state of be said, innocent; they mean in a state of childhood… Fragile in every sense of the childhood… Fragile in every sense of the word, they are obliged to look up to man word, they are obliged to look up to man for every comfort… if fear in girls, instead for every comfort… if fear in girls, instead of being cherished, perhaps, created, were of being cherished, perhaps, created, were treated in the same manner as cowardice treated in the same manner as cowardice
in boys, we should quickly see women with in boys, we should quickly see women with more dignified aspects… more dignified aspects… I do not wish I do not wish
them to have power over men; but over them to have power over men; but over themselvesthemselves…”…”
Olympe de Gouges1748 - 1793
Olympe de Gouges1748 - 1793
Declaration of Declaration of the Rights of the Rights of
Women and the Women and the Female CitizenFemale Citizen
(1791)(1791)
Declaration of Declaration of the Rights of the Rights of
Women and the Women and the Female CitizenFemale Citizen
(1791)(1791)
From De Gouges’ Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the
Female Citizen
From De Gouges’ Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the
Female Citizen
Woman, wake up… discover your rights.Woman, wake up… discover your rights.
Oh, women, women! When will you cease to be Oh, women, women! When will you cease to be blind?blind?
Regardless of what barriers confront you, it is Regardless of what barriers confront you, it is in your power to free yourselves; you have in your power to free yourselves; you have only to want to…only to want to…
I offer a foolproof way to elevate the soul of I offer a foolproof way to elevate the soul of women; it is to join them to all the activities of women; it is to join them to all the activities of man…man…
Man… Tell me, what gives you sovereign Man… Tell me, what gives you sovereign empire to oppress my sex?empire to oppress my sex?
Aims of the Declaration of the Rights of Woman
Aims of the Declaration of the Rights of Woman
Education for womenEducation for women
Equal opportunities for womenEqual opportunities for women
In employment In employment
A claim to land A claim to land
Equality for women in the eyes of Equality for women in the eyes of the lawthe law
Women must receive equal Women must receive equal punishmentspunishments
Aims, ContinuedAims, ContinuedA social contract between men and women A social contract between men and women in marriagein marriage
All wealth is sharedAll wealth is shared
In the case of separation all property In the case of separation all property divideddivided
Women and men equal in a marriage Women and men equal in a marriage
Women’s suffrageWomen’s suffrage
A national assembly of womenA national assembly of women
Equal rights for womenEqual rights for women
Natural rightsNatural rights
Freedom of speechFreedom of speech
Other FeministsOther FeministsEtta PalmEtta Palm
Petitioned for education Petitioned for education and legal rights for and legal rights for womenwomen
Claire LacombeClaire Lacombe
Organized a club of Organized a club of Revolutionary Revolutionary Republican CitizenessesRepublican Citizenesses
Women’s Petition to the National Assembly (1789)Women’s Petition to the
National Assembly (1789)i.i. All the privileges of the male sex are All the privileges of the male sex are
irrevocably abolished throughout France.irrevocably abolished throughout France.
ii.ii. The feminine sex will always enjoy the The feminine sex will always enjoy the same liberty, advantages, rights and same liberty, advantages, rights and honors as does the masculine sex.honors as does the masculine sex.
iii.iii. The masculine genre will no longer be The masculine genre will no longer be regarded… as the more noble genre… all regarded… as the more noble genre… all being should be and are equally noble.being should be and are equally noble.
iv.iv. … … In the household both parties should In the household both parties should enjoy the same authorityenjoy the same authority
Women’s Petition, ContinuedWomen’s Petition, Continuedv.v. That wearing breeches will no longer be the That wearing breeches will no longer be the
exclusive prerogative of the male sex, but exclusive prerogative of the male sex, but each sex will have the right…each sex will have the right…
vi.vi. When a soldier has… compromised French When a soldier has… compromised French honor, he will no longer be degraded… [by] honor, he will no longer be degraded… [by] making him wear women’s clothing…making him wear women’s clothing…
vii.vii. All persons of the feminine sex must be All persons of the feminine sex must be admitted without exception to the direct and admitted without exception to the direct and departmental assemblies…departmental assemblies…
viii.viii. They can also be appointed as Magistrates…They can also be appointed as Magistrates…
ix.ix. The same applies to all positions, The same applies to all positions, compensations, and military dignities…compensations, and military dignities…
x.x. Nor do we hesitate to open the sanctuary to Nor do we hesitate to open the sanctuary to the feminine sex…the feminine sex…
Petition of Women of the Third Estate to the King
Petition of Women of the Third Estate to the King
Written in respectful, polite terms, insisting Written in respectful, polite terms, insisting changes, not demanding them (changes, not demanding them (January 1, January 1, 1789)1789)
Better educationBetter education
Representation for womenRepresentation for women
Jobs which would open only to Jobs which would open only to women, so prostitution would endwomen, so prostitution would end
Resented that daughters were treated Resented that daughters were treated differently than sons and that old unmarried differently than sons and that old unmarried women were scornedwomen were scorned
““We ask to be enlightened, to have work, not We ask to be enlightened, to have work, not in order to usurp men’s authority, but in order in order to usurp men’s authority, but in order to be better esteemed…to be better esteemed…
Charlotte CordayCharlotte Corday
Girondin Girondin supporter supporter who killed who killed
Jacobin Jean-Jacobin Jean-Paul Marat Paul Marat on July 13, on July 13,
17931793
The MurderThe MurderCorday sent a note to Marat earlier Corday sent a note to Marat earlier saying, “saying, “I come from Caen. Your I come from Caen. Your love for your country should make love for your country should make you curious to know about the plots you curious to know about the plots that are taking place there. I will that are taking place there. I will await your answer.”await your answer.”
This note did grab Marat’s attention This note did grab Marat’s attention and though he was very sick, he let and though he was very sick, he let Corday in to see himCorday in to see him
Corday told him the names of Corday told him the names of traitors and then stabbed him in the traitors and then stabbed him in the chestchest
The AftermathThe AftermathJust after Corday stabbed Marat, Just after Corday stabbed Marat, his friend rushed into the bathroomhis friend rushed into the bathroom
A man sitting downstairs waiting A man sitting downstairs waiting for an article from Marat heard the for an article from Marat heard the commotion and assumed Marat had commotion and assumed Marat had been attacked. When Corday got been attacked. When Corday got downstairs, this man hit her over downstairs, this man hit her over the head with a chairthe head with a chair
Four days later Corday was tried Four days later Corday was tried and guillotinedand guillotined
The Trial and ExecutionThe Trial and ExecutionIn a conversation between the In a conversation between the prosecutor (P) and Corday (C): prosecutor (P) and Corday (C):
P – Why did you kill Marat? Who P – Why did you kill Marat? Who inspired you with so much hatred inspired you with so much hatred for him?for him?C – I didn’t need the hatred of C – I didn’t need the hatred of others. I had plenty of my own.others. I had plenty of my own.P – But what did you hope to gain P – But what did you hope to gain from killing him?from killing him?C – I killed one man to save a C – I killed one man to save a thousand.thousand.P – Do you think there was only P – Do you think there was only one Marat?one Marat?C – No, but by killing him I have C – No, but by killing him I have warned the others. His death will warned the others. His death will frighten the rest of them.frighten the rest of them.
““Charlotte Corday en Charlotte Corday en Prison”Prison”
by Jacques-Louis Mullerby Jacques-Louis Muller
Charlotte Cordayby Paul Jacques Aimé Baudry
Charlotte Cordayby Paul Jacques Aimé Baudry
Death of MaratDeath of Maratby Davidby David
Supporting MenSupporting Men
Emmanuel Emmanuel SiSièyesèyes
The Marquis de The Marquis de CondorcetCondorcet
(Marie Jean Antoine (Marie Jean Antoine Nicolas Caritat)Nicolas Caritat)
Opposing MenOpposing Men
Jean-Jacques Jean-Jacques RousseauRousseau
Pierre-Pierre-Gaspard Gaspard
ChaumetteChaumette
Jean-Baptiste-André Amar(1755-1816)
Jean-Baptiste-André Amar(1755-1816)
From From The Report of Amar, The Report of Amar, October 21, October 21, 17931793
Can women exercise political rights and take Can women exercise political rights and take an active part in the affairs of government? an active part in the affairs of government? Can they deliberate together in political Can they deliberate together in political associations or popular societies?associations or popular societies?
On these two questions the committee On these two questions the committee decided in the negative.decided in the negative.
[It] demands a devotion without limits… Are [It] demands a devotion without limits… Are women capable of these cares and of the women capable of these cares and of the qualities that governance demands?qualities that governance demands?
In general, we can respond no. Very few In general, we can respond no. Very few examples would contradict thisexamples would contradict this
From The Report of Amar, Continued
From The Report of Amar, Continued
Can women devote themselves to these Can women devote themselves to these useful and difficult functions? useful and difficult functions?
No, because they would be obliged to No, because they would be obliged to sacrifice the more important cares to sacrifice the more important cares to which nature calls them.which nature calls them.
Each sex is called to a type of occupation Each sex is called to a type of occupation which is fitting; its action is circumscribed which is fitting; its action is circumscribed within this circle which it cannot break within this circle which it cannot break through, because nature which has set the through, because nature which has set the limits for man commands imperiously and limits for man commands imperiously and does not recognize any law.does not recognize any law.
From The Report of Amar, Continued II
From The Report of Amar, Continued II
In general, women are ill suited for elevated In general, women are ill suited for elevated conceptions and serious meditations… would conceptions and serious meditations… would you wish for them to be seen coming to the you wish for them to be seen coming to the bar, to the tribune, to political assemblies like bar, to the tribune, to political assemblies like men, abandoning both reserve, the source of men, abandoning both reserve, the source of all virtues of their sex, and the care of their all virtues of their sex, and the care of their family?family?
In general, women are ill suited for elevated In general, women are ill suited for elevated conceptions and serious meditations… would conceptions and serious meditations… would you wish for them to be seen coming to the you wish for them to be seen coming to the bar, to the tribune, to political assemblies like bar, to the tribune, to political assemblies like men, abandoning both reserve, the source of men, abandoning both reserve, the source of all virtues of their sex, and the care of their all virtues of their sex, and the care of their family?family?
From The Report of Amar, Continued III
From The Report of Amar, Continued III
There is another respect in which There is another respect in which associations of women appear associations of women appear dangerous…dangerous…
Their presence in popular societies Their presence in popular societies would give therefore then an active would give therefore then an active part in government to persons more part in government to persons more exposed to error and to seduction. Let exposed to error and to seduction. Let us add that women are disposed by us add that women are disposed by their organization to an excess their organization to an excess excitement which would be deadly in excitement which would be deadly in public affairs and that the interests of public affairs and that the interests of the state would soon be sacrificed to the state would soon be sacrificed to all that the intensity of passion can all that the intensity of passion can produce in errors and disorder. produce in errors and disorder.
Improvements for Women Made During the RevolutionImprovements for Women
Made During the Revolution
Men and women were equally Men and women were equally eligible to inherit propertyeligible to inherit property
Divorce legalized (so a woman could Divorce legalized (so a woman could also choose to end a marriage)also choose to end a marriage)
In a divorce, women had a right to In a divorce, women had a right to some of the common propertysome of the common property
A system of education was created A system of education was created for both boys and girlsfor both boys and girls
