GNCS 230 - The French Revolution: Local Origins and Global Impact

Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)

(Same as HIST 230) The French Revolution remains one of the definitive moments in modern history. Over the course of the Revolution, recognizable themes emerged that became the hallmarks of modern society, themes such as human rights, universal suffrage, nationalism, and feminism. This course examines how many of these ideals originated in not just the Enlightenment, but also within the institutions of Old Regime France, an absolute monarchy and emerging colonial force. It looks at how the promises of revolutionary ideals affected peoples unequally both in France and its colonies, especially Saint-Domingue. How, between 1789 and 1799, did France move from being a constitutional monarchy to a republic to an oligarchy and finally, to an imperial dictatorship? We pay special attention to the connections between the French Revolution and the Haitian Revolution in considering the Revolution’s global legacy. Sumita Choudhury.

Two 75-minute periods.

Course Format: CLS