Les Révolutions de France et de Brabant: Risks and Rewards

Les Révolutions de France et de Brabant was a periodical written by Camille Desmoulins in which he criticizes the absolute French Monarchy. He calls for a revolution drawing inspiration from Brabant (a revolution that had recently started and was still ongoing). The weekly periodical lasted for two years resulting in eight volumes spanning 104 issues. This copy is owned by the University of Pennsylvania consisting of the first, third, fourth, and sixth volumes and is housed in the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books, and Manuscripts.

Overview and Background

Camille Desmoulins was a French author, politician, and proponent of the revolution. He's known for instigating the Storming of Bastille, his criticism of the Reign of Terror, and for respectively being classmate and friend of Maximilien Robespierre and Georges Danton. He worked mostly as a lawyer until the inception of the Revolution becoming captivated by it leading to Desmoulins beginning his career of writing as a political journalist. As one can imagine he was renowned throughout France for his eloquence in both speech and writing along with his passion. His works are all widely disseminated and consumed. He was also large advocate of linguistic reform to and simpler language in official documents and public discourse as to allow for participation from as many people as possible. He was accused of being a counter revolutionary for his disagreement with the direction of the revolution after the king had been removed and was sent to the guillotine in 1794 soon followed by his wife.

His work writing Les Révolutions de France et de Brabant helped to lift him out of the poverty created by his dwindling career as a lawyer. Its popularity remained constant through every installment. This was a credit towards his views on reform and linguistic simplicity to allow more sharing of information. He wrote in a style that could reach and consumed by more people using a combination of satire, commentary, political cartoons and illustrations, polemics, and basic reporting of current events. These publications were the fruits of a revolution. It drew upon the excitement of the revolutionaries in Brabant citing their eagerness and zest.

Historical Context

test

Printing

risks

Usage and Significance

rewards

Reflection