Our History Group met on Monday 02 March 2026 for a presentation and discussion on the Conclusion(s) of the French Revolution. This took the form of a video presentation followed by a structured discussion on the consequences for events since the French Revolution in European and Global history.

With a nation divided between city and countryside dwellers, a shortage of food and an isolated wealthy nobility, something was bound to give. The government of the country was in difficulties, and the King and Queen were less concerned than they might have been. The media of the day was not under government control, and the journal known as the People’s Friend was encouraging the people to take action. This they did and the king was forced to accept that the absolute monarchy become a constitutional monarchy.

The King and Queen were seized and taken to Paris by a crowd of an estimated 60,000 citizens. King Louis was sent to the Guillotine, and was followed later in the same year by the Queen. During this time, we had The Terror with its architect Maximilien Robespierre, ably assisted by Georges Danton and Jean-Paul Marat. Only one thing could be worse than the Terror, and sure enough France experienced The Great Terror. In the end, it took an authoritarian leader, Napoleon Bonaparte to seize the reins of power, and lead the country out of the turmoil.

After a break for teas and coffees, we had an open discussion on what the French Revolution has meant for European and Global History up to the present day, including the wars of the 20th Century. Could a revolution occur in the 21st Century, and is one taking place at the moment? What did the French Revolution do for suffrage, for organised religion and for the wealthy nations?

Our next session will be on Monday 30 March 2026 at 2pm and will be concerned with the life and career of Napoleon Bonaparte.