Alex Dudash

French Revolution Diary Entries: Peasant

Entry #1: It is a very exciting time to be alive, as I am seeing the Enlightenment grow. Though I

still have many struggles, the talk of philosophes has given me a new feeling of value. For so

long, the aristocracy’s dominance over people like myself has just been accepted and I have been

unable to see my worth. Now with talk of governing by the general will, and inherent rights to all

men, I feel a new sense of hope. However, we have yet to become a great society, as our

financial crisis and bread shortages are still a looming reality. With a shortage of bread, peasants

like myself are struggling to feed ourselves and our families, as the bread which France does

have is too expensive for people like us. If France is to become the beautiful state I know it can

be, we must first overcome our financial crisis.

Entry #2: To find a much needed solution to our nation’s financial crisis, and rise to our potential

glory, we convened in the Estates General. However, it was at this meeting where we, the

peasantry, encountered the sobering reality that if anything is to be accomplished, us peasants

must do things on our own. The insistence on voting by order has disallowed the peasants from

having a voice, which is especially jarring considering that we are the most populated estate. It

has become apparent that we must take action and we have decided there is need for a

constitution. If we will not be allowed to have a voice in civil discussion, then rebellion is

necessary. Our voices must be heard, and the king can not stop us! Never in my life have I felt

justice as strong as the feeling which overtook me as I tore at the walls of the Bastille. I watched

as the head of Marquis de Launay passed on a pike, a satisfying sign of the dying of tyranny!
Entry #3: Our rebellious methods have proven to be successful thus far. The Declaration of

Rights of Man and Citizen has enabled the precious ideas of the Enlightenment to take form. It

solidifies the truth that all men are equal and gives us our freedom. No longer will the aristocracy

be allowed to enjoy dominance over us through things such as tax exemptions. Additionally, our

promise to create a constitution after the break from the Estates-General has finally been

fulfilled. It is a truly historic moment, the establishment of the Constitution of 1791! Now we

have a constitutional monarchy, which is another step to our impending greatness. However, the

king’s behavior has proven to be troublesome. Following the establishing of the constitution, he

attempted to flee France, which has made me wonder why we have the monarchy at all.

Additionally, we have had to deal with the opposition of other European nations. We have found

ourselves in a war with Austria,

Entry #4: Our country’s shortcomings in the war with Austria has shown us definitive proof that

the king must go. After abolishing Louis, there was somewhat of a split between the peasants as

to whether he should be executed or not. However, it was clear to me that for France to become

what we need it to be the king needs to die. Fortunately, this is exactly what happened. Once the

king was killed, Maximilien Robespierre took upon himself a role of leadership. Backed by

peasants like myself, Robespierre has led a purification of France, some have called the “Reign

of Terror”. Yes, many thousands of people have been killed in Robespierre’s movement, but that

is a price I am willing to pay for the betterment of France. Just as these traitors have had to

perish, so has religion faced its fate. It has been made clear that if we are to enter our enlightened

glory and rally around reason, we must de-Christianize. Change may be difficult, but when it is

for the betterment of France, it is necessary.

Entry #5: This is simply outrageous! After all we’ve worked for, after all we’ve sacrificed,

France has found itself with a new ruler. It seems as though my brethren have forgotten that

Emperor Napoleon is just like the monarchs of the past. It does not matter if he preserves

elements of the revolution. The Civil Code, is good, I love the equality before the law, property

rights, and the abolition of serfdom. However, the revolution can not be fulfilled with him in

power. How can we preach equality while he stands before us like he is a God? It is my hope that

things are not too late. As we have seen an expansion of the empire, we have also seen a spread

of the revolution’s ideals. The legal equality, economic freedom, and other principles which we

have held onto so dearly have taken root in these nations we’ve conquered. An enlightened state

may still be possible.