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A Recast of ‘French Revolution & Napoleon (Grey History)’

History isn't black and white, yet too often it's presented as such. Explore the ambiguities and nuances of the French Revolution. Support the show today: https://www.patreon.com/greyhistory Ever wondered how the French Revolution started with hope for liberty and equality and descended into the Reign of Terror? Curious as to how the French Revolution still influences your life today? Looking for your next long-form, detailed history podcast recommended by universities and loved by French Revolution and Napoleon enthusiasts? Then Grey History The French Revolution and Napoleon is the history podcast for you!  In the first 12 episodes, we explore the origins of the French Revolution. Starting with French history in the late eighteenth century, the first two episodes examine the Estates of the Realm and the historic reigns of King Louis XIV and King Louis XV. We then dive into French involvement in the American Revolutionary War, and the profound impact this has on the history of France. Taking the time to contrast the experiences of contemporaries and the opinions of historians, we proceed to unpack the fall of the Old Regime (Ancien Régime), including the summoning of the Estates-General, the creation of the National Assembly (later the National Constituent Assembly), and the Tennis Court Oath. Finally, we dive into the dismissal of Jacques Necker and the series of events that triggered the Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789. Along the way, we routinely dive into contentious debates in the history of the French Revolution, before proceeding to examine the period of constitutional monarchy from 1789 to 1792.  From Episodes 13 - 35, Grey History The French Revolution and Napoleon examines the workings of the National Assembly, the Constitution of 1791, and the first year of the Legislative Assembly. This includes contentious debates surrounding the Assembly's religious reforms, including the nationalisation of church property, the issuing of assignats, the closure of monastic orders, and the Civil Constitution of the Clergy. It also includes historic events such as the October Days, the Flight to Varennes, and the declaration of the Revolutionary War. As we unpack the ever-changing events of Paris during the revolutionary era, you'll not only hear from historians from across the ideological spectrum, as well as key participants. This includes Maximilien Robespierre, Georges Danton, Jean-Paul Marat, the Comte de Mirabeau, Abbé Sieyès, Jean-Sylvain Bailly, the Marquis de Lafayette, and of course, the French royals, King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. We'll also examine the factional dynamics emerging in the revolution, including the Jacobins (Montagnards), Girondins (Brissotins), Feuillants, and others. Finally, we will discuss international reactions to the French Revolution, including Edmund Burke's responses as well as those of foreign monarchs.  From Episode 36 onwards, we explore the fall of the monarchy on 10 August 1792, a gruesome and chaotic event that was ironically witnessed by the future French Emperor Napoléon Bonaparte. But, between the overthrow of King Louis XVI and the rise of the Napoleonic Empire a decade later, the history of France is one defined by turmoil, conspiracy, heartbreak, and bloodshed. From the September Massacres of 1792 to the Reign of Terror in 1793 and 1794, the French Revolution is an almost unbelievable tragedy of horror and crime. But, it's also an inspirational story of hope and heroism. Fighting for democratic principles, the French (and later Napoleonic) armies transformed world history forever, along with democratic societies. You absolutely don't want to miss out on the history of the French Revolution and the subsequent age of Napoleon!

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Recastable Episodes (142)

1. 1.01 Introduction & The Three Estates Dec. 13, 2019
2. 1.02 The Two Louis Dec. 13, 2019
3. 1.03 One Revolutionary War Dec. 13, 2019
4. 1.04 Post Necker, Pre Chaos Dec. 13, 2019
5. 1.05 The Assembly of Rebels Dec. 13, 2019
6. 1.06 The Revolt of the Parlements Dec. 13, 2019
7. 1.07 The Cradle of the Revolution Dec. 14, 2019
8. 1.08 Grievances of the Nation Dec. 14, 2019
9. 1.09 The Estates General Dec. 14, 2019
10. 1.10 The National Assembly Dec. 14, 2019
11. 1.11 The Parisian Powder Keg Dec. 14, 2019
12. 1.12 The Storming of the Bastille Dec. 14, 2019
13. 1.13 The Great Fear Jan. 7, 2020
14. 1.14 Decrees and Declarations Jan. 23, 2020
15. 1.15 The October Days Feb. 5, 2020
16. 1.16 Clubbing in Paris Feb. 19, 2020
17. 1.17 Rivals for Power March 8, 2020
18. 1.18 A Popular Revolution March 18, 2020
19. 1.19 A Holy War Begins March 27, 2020
20. 1.20 Death of the Aristocracy April 6, 2020
21. 1.21 Run Louis Run April 21, 2020
22. Show Update April 2020 April 24, 2020
23. 1.22 The Tricolour Terror May 11, 2020
24. 1.23 The Constitution of 1791 June 8, 2020
25. 1.24 The Legislative Assembly July 13, 2020
26. 1.25 The Road to War Aug. 31, 2020
27. 1.26 The Brissotins and the Montagnards Oct. 12, 2020
28. 1.29 Foreigners in the French Army Dec. 2, 2020
29. 1.30 Setbacks and Remedies Jan. 30, 2021
30. 1.31 Rise of the Sans-culottes Feb. 28, 2021
31. Intelligent Speech - Saturday April 24 2021 April 21, 2021
32. 1.32 Uninvited Guests May 2, 2021
33. 1.33 What About Second Revolution? June 30, 2021
34. Bastille Day Bonus Episode (The Prisoner of Paris) July 14, 2021
35. 1.34 The Brunswick Manifesto Aug. 25, 2021
36. 1.35 Science During the Revolutionary Era Oct. 9, 2021
37. Show Update November 2021 Nov. 7, 2021
38. 1.36 The Insurrection of 10 August 1792 Jan. 31, 2022
39. 1.37 Aftermath March 9, 2022
40. 1.38 The First Terror May 8, 2022
41. 1.39 The September Massacres Part I May 25, 2022
42. 1.39.1 September Massacres Episode Extras May 25, 2022
43. 1.40 The September Massacres Part II June 16, 2022
44. 1.41 The September Massacres Part III June 30, 2022
45. 1.42 The Corsican Republic Part I Sneak Peek (Exclusive Bonus Episode) July 28, 2022
46. Joint Episode - History of the Papacy Podcast July 29, 2022
47. 1.43 The Invasion of France Aug. 1, 2022
48. 1.44 The National Convention Aug. 22, 2022
49. Crossover Episode: History Daily Aug. 29, 2022
50. Interview Episode - Russian Rulers History Podcast & Catherine the Great Sept. 16, 2022
51. 1.45 First Republic, Then Dictatorship? Oct. 24, 2022
52. 1.46 The Trial of the King Part I Nov. 24, 2022
53. 1.47 The Trial of the King Part II Dec. 24, 2022
54. 1.48 The Trial of the King Part III Jan. 16, 2023
55. 1.49 The Trial of the King Part IV Jan. 31, 2023
56. 1.50 Questions & Answers Part I Feb. 17, 2023
57. 1.51 Questions & Answers Part II March 5, 2023
58. 1.52 The Corsican Revolution & Milestone Celebration March 19, 2023
59. 1.53 The Advance of France April 4, 2023
60. Hospitalisation, Dengue Fever, and Delay April 24, 2023
61. Joint Episode - French Intervention in the American Revolutionary War May 7, 2023
62. 1.54 Its Treason Then! June 7, 2023
63. 1.55 Civil War in the Vendée June 21, 2023
64. 1.56 Fasting and Furious July 8, 2023
65. Special Episode - Burke, Paine, & British Reactions to French Revolution July 13, 2023
66. 1.57 The Institutions of Terror Aug. 22, 2023
67. Episode Swap - Pax Britannica Sept. 3, 2023
68. 1.58 The Faction Menace Sept. 22, 2023
69. Feedback Wanted: New Community Initiatives Sept. 27, 2023
70. Episode Swap - History Daily Sept. 30, 2023
71. 1.59 The Purge of the Girondins Part I Oct. 11, 2023
72. T-Shirt Giveaway November 2023 Nov. 2, 2023
73. 1.60 The Purge of the Girondins Part II Nov. 12, 2023
74. Joint Episode: Napoleon in Egypt with History of Egypt Podcast Nov. 28, 2023
75. 1.61 The Purge of the Girondins Part III Dec. 1, 2023
76. Members Questions & Answers Dec. 9, 2023
77. 1.62 The Federalist Revolts Dec. 21, 2023
78. 1.63 Caen: The North Rebels! Jan. 17, 2024
79. Joint Episode: American Politics and the French Revolution with My History Can Beat Up Your Politics Jan. 28, 2024
80. 1.64 Lyon I: Royalist or Revolutionary? Feb. 4, 2024
81. 1.65 Lyon II: Whose Revolution Is it Anyway? Feb. 19, 2024
82. 1.66 Lyon III: Liberated City March 3, 2024
83. 1.67 Lyon IV: The Blame Game March 21, 2024
84. 1.68 Marseille: Fight and Flight April 2, 2024
85. Joint Episode: Young Napoleon And Divided France with The Age of Napoleon April 16, 2024
86. 1.69 Toulon I: The Flimsy Coalition and the Second Partition of Poland April 23, 2024
87. 1.70 Toulon II: A Harbour of Discontent April 30, 2024
88. 1.71 Toulon III: Terror or Treason! May 19, 2024
89. 1.72 Toulon IV: The Siege of Toulon June 24, 2024
90. Joint Episode: The Art of Revolution June 30, 2024
91. 1.73 Toulon V: Napoleon's Triumph July 15, 2024
92. Bonus Episode: Federalist Revolts Questions & Answers July 27, 2024
93. 1.74 The Constitution of 1793 July 31, 2024
94. Joint Episode: Let The Games Begin Aug. 9, 2024
95. Episode Swap - History Daily Aug. 23, 2024
96. 1.75 The Death of Marat Aug. 30, 2024
97. 1.76 The Battle for the Sans-Culottes Part I Sept. 17, 2024
98. 1.77 The Battle for the Sans-Culottes Part II Oct. 12, 2024
99. Joint Episode: Thomas Paine with History on Fire Oct. 19, 2024
100. 1.78 Divided Heights Oct. 31, 2024
42 more episodes