“Let us arm ourselves. Let us show the men that we are not their inferiors in courage or virtue. Let us rise to the level of our destinies and break our chains. It is high time that women emerged from the shameful state of nullity and ignorance, to which the arrogance and injustice of men have so long condemned us.” - Théorigne de Méricourt (Woman Activist in the French Revolution) In the context of above quotation explain the role of women during French Revolution. What do you think about their status in the society at that time period? Has the situation changed in modern era? If it’s so, justify with suitable examples, and if it’s not then why?
Answers
At the mist of the revolution Théroigne de Méricourt proclaimed to the women of France, “Let us arm ourselves. Let us show the men that we are not their inferiors in courage or virtue. Let us rise to the level of our destinies and break our chains. It is high time that women emerged from the shameful state of nullity and ignorance, to which the arrogance and injustice of men have so long condemned us”(Méricourt). From the French society before the revolution things were very different. Before there was a hierarchy system, with different ranks from kings, to church leaders, to peasants. That all changed when the revolution came, people wanted equality. Not just men this time, but women as well. They created a national assembly and many new laws and declarations to keep things fair. For women things had to be fought harder and more frequent to make a change in their role in society. In the french revolution women became more recognized and respected, giving them more social, economic, and political opportunities, which would have a large effect on how women were treated from then on.
The French Revolution was one of the most troubling and dramatic events in French history. The first thing that sparked the revolution was a rebellion called the Storming of the Bastille. This battle ruined the government with the influence from the church, hierarchy, and the absolute monarchy(Jacobin).