A Brief History
On October 5, 1789, the women of Paris marched to Versailles to confront King Louis XVI about his refusal to abolish feudalism, to demand bread, and to force the King and his court to move to Paris.
Digging Deeper
English playwright and poet William Congreve (January 24, 1670 – January 19, 1729) famously noted, “Heav’n has no rage like love to hatred turn’d, Nor Hell a fury, like a woman scorn’d.” Perhaps his words were prescient for the violent chaos of the French Revolution as best exhibited when a veritable mob of weapons wielding women wanted to show just what they could do when scorned by their king.
The French Revolution, a pivotal event in modern history, began with the storming of the Bastille by French Revolutionaries on July 14, 1789. Over the next few months, many hoped that some kind of agreement or compromise could be reached among the various groups within France. In the summer of 1789, it was not at all clear that the monarchy was necessarily going to be overthrown.
Unfortunately, the elites in France did not entirely want to do away with the amount of societal privileges that revolutionaries demanded be abolished. Nor did the government adequately address the serious issues of food distribution associated with the suffering of the general public. In fact, to make matters worse, the monarchy in effect insulted its people by attending a lavish banquet for aristocratic troops held on October 1, 1789.
Four days later, a group of angry, hungry women seeking bread and arms gathered more and more supporters as it pushed on the royal palace of Versailles. By the time the women reached the palace, their patience for the monarchy was greatly diminished. They referred to their queen, Marie Antoinette, as a “bitch” and a “whore.” They even attacked the palace in a furious fit of violence that resulted in some victims of the mob having their heads hoisted up on pikes. The Marquis de Lafayette (Washington’s buddy in the American Revolution) did what he could to deescalate the situation and succeeded…for a time.
He may have saved his monarchs from slaughter on that particular day, but the march of the women demonstrated their determination, ferocity, and willingness to physically do what they perceived as necessary to get what they want. It was a bitter taste of more frightful things to come!
Question for students (and subscribers): What were some key roles that women played during the French Revolution? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
Scholarship on the French Revolution is especially rich! When it comes to women and the French Revolution, look to the writings of Lynn Hunt. She has produced a number of outstanding works on the subject. Two accessible and concise volumes on the Revolution in general include Jack. R. Censer and Lynn Hunt, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity: Exploring the French Revolution
You can also watch a video version of this article on YouTube.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="32 http://crackedhistory.com/?p=32">112 Comments
I think that when you are hungry and broken you will do almost anything to better your situation. There is only so much a human can take before they stand up and fight back. If these women were looking to their leaders for help instead of oppression then the mob would not have taken place and there would not have been desperation and anger to overthrow the monarchy. The monarchy should have been in service to her people and therefor securing their well being as well as her own.
When I read this, I can’t help but think of the song “Bastille Day” by the Canadian band Rush. I know, this may sound trivial, but I was only 16 at the time when this song came out. It was my real first exposure to history that I was actually interested in. This was a terrible time in France’s history, with a lot of blood shed. These women had honorable intentions.
I think that the women had every right to riot! Their country was folding in on itself, collapsing completely. The rich were only concerned with the rich, so it was their duty to their country to call attention to the poor. Although I do not believe that they should have scorned Marie Antoinette alone, I do believe that their treatment of her was reasonable within the circumstances–but they should have included all the players in the monarchy game, not just her.
I think that women have the right to riot under certain situations. This is one of the situations where I was ok with it. I feel they were trying to better themselves, so it was acceptable. I feel they were justified in what they did to Marie Antoinette, to me it was reasonable for what she had done.
I do believe that women have the right to riot, but I do not think anyone has the right to violently over throw a leader. It is just not moral or ethical to do so. Also, I do not think the women should have singled out Marie Antoinette as much as they did. I agree that they should have “attacked” her, but I feel they should have attacked everyone involved. Still, I do not believe they should have used violence, so Marie should have been given more mercy, but only in that sense.
I believe that women like men have the right to overthrow their government if their rights are being denied or if they are being led by a tyrannical ruler. I believe in a way that Marie should have been punished just not to that extent. She should have been punished because she lived an extravagant life while her people were starving and could not afford to feed their families or themselves.
I think the women were completely in the right. If a government is not treating its people right, something must be done. These women were not being treated right and their government was doing nothing about it. They only wanted what they deserved.
I believe that women and men are equal; thus, they have the same right as men to overthrow their government in order to gain their proper rights or to throw away a tyrannical leader. Marie most likely should have been punished just as anyone else, but they probably shouldn’t have punished her as extreme as they did.
Anyone has the right to overthrow the government no matter what race, gender, or religion they are
If a government is mistreating its citizens, they certainly should have the right to do something about it. No one should sit back and have someone else treat them like they are a lesser person.
Not that I think the violence and the way the women went about things was the best way, but I feel if a group is not being treated by their government, that they should be able to overthrow and change it.
I think the government, specifically the aristocracy, in France during this period completely underestimated the power of the revolutionaries. The sheer number of people that were dissatisfied should have been a clue to the upper class, but apparently they still thought they were untouchable. It is interesting to think about what would have happened had they listened or resolved the problems, but the world without the French Revolution would be a very different place!
Women throughout history have had a hard time gaining their rights. Its interesting that those in power talk of civil liberties while at the same time depriving most of theirs.
This is really cool. FIrst of all women have had a hard time throughout history finding equal rights as men. So yes, they have every right to rebel as well for change. The rulers were letting their people starve and it was right for these women to stand up for themselves and the people.
FEMINISM!!!
Those women had the strength to rebel and used it. Good for them.
Hell hath no fury, than a woman scorn’d. I didn’t know that this was such an old saying.
Power to the women of the world. I will say one thing, a hungry, angry, tired, and determined woman can accomplish much more than any man. We are fearsome creatures at times.
You can tell that this period of time must have been extremely horrible for the lower class so much so that the women felt angered enough that they had to physically march and make demands for a change! The rich and elite thought they were untouchable! Life must have been frustrating and difficult at this time.
I would never stand in the way of an angry woman! — DAVID WARDLE
good to hear about women standing up and fighting for what they believe is right
These women had the right to rebel because of the neglect of their monarchs.
Hungry and angry peasants, these. You might say they were… fed up.
(•_•)
( •_•)>⌐■-■
(⌐■_■),
YEEEEAAAAAAAH
I wonder how de Lafayette fended off the women on that day? It’s safe to say when women are pissed there is no going back and not easy to handle…. -Alex Guthrie
When women have no rights prepare government bc they will rebel
I’m much more afraid of a mob full of women than a mob full of women!
This is like women’s rights before women’s rights. I found it interesting that the monarch at the time was a women.
Glad to see women standing up, people under estimate us. They had ever right too
Women are stronger than we get credit for!
That is why you don’t mess with an angry, hungry woman.
Unfortunately, women were later cast aside by the revolutionists as gender equality was not an important motivation
I always good to see when rebel for their rights. I would not want to get in the way of that mob
The women who stormed the Bastille had been pacified by King Louis XVI and the monarch for quite some time, until they felt as if they had no other choice except confrontation.
I feel that in history women did not get as much as attention as men did, rights were not soemthing women recieved. But it is good to see people fighting for what they believe in. Though, my first choice is never confrontation.
It’s really kind of gross that the protestors’ heads were held up on spikes. This type of thing seems to happen a lot in history, and it has got to be gruesome to witness this kind of this take place right in front of you.
N.W.
Interesting in terms of world history, but what are the American implications? GW
I think if the people felt like they did than they should have overthrown their ‘government’.
AM
I found the story of Marie Antoinette to be very interesting especially since she was young at the time this was happening. I am glad she stood up for herself.
Perfect example of how we the people give power to our government, and together we could take it away just as fast.
More power to all these women, they all seem pretty tough. Although, calling the queen those names seems a tad petty.
I like to see people fight for what they believe in, although, some parts of this were fairly gruesome. I find Marie Antoinette’s story interesting.
The fact that women were willing to get killed just to stop starving goes to show just how far a little bit of food will go.
I found this story to be very interesting. The fact that the women went to the royal palace to prove a point showed how important food was to them
I find this very interesting. Not saying what the women did was right, but hey… never underestimate us! As underestimated as women were in this time, they did not let that stop them from what they wanted to achieve. I think it’s still safe to say, that when most women have their mind set on something, they’ll do what they can to achieve it.
It is sad that it had to go to the extreme of overthrowing their government.
Yet another story of how important it is to fight for what you think is right. Very inspiring.
Never underestimate the fury of hungry women!
The things that forced them to have to throw such a revolt meant that the times were dark
I think that it is very interesting that the women in this time were willing to be killed in order to not starve. Never underestimate women.
The revolutions that took place in France always seem to be extremely violent. One would not typically associate women with this type of aggression but it does not seem that many felt treated with respect by their monarchs.
It’s always quite humorous when men dismiss women for these dainty beings, and then women pull these kind of stunts.
I can’t believe the French aristocrats would be so selfish that they led people to do this.
it is ashemed that gender equality was not an option
If the French Aristocrats would have been able to take into
consideration the demands of the people they could have possibly avoided the
revolution or at least made it not so severe.
I do remember reading about this event a few years ago! This is proof that hunger will lead people to do crazy things.
I couldn’t have worded it any better I agree with Alec Ciferno
The Marquis de Lafayette is a fascinating individual, to have a front seat to the two most important revolutions in modern history.
I can only imagine what horrible things these women saw during the war. I’m sure they were sick of seeing their children starve while watching the royals enjoy feasts.
Well if someone gets a group of people together and have the same idea then you can try to over throw the government. No one deserves to starve so I would be going against them too.
We’re still fighting the gender equality battle. Sad that it’s been this long and we’re not fully there yet. Proud of these woman for doing their part though.
It’s a shame that the aristocrats were so selfish and refused to reach a compromise with the revolutionaries and it lead to things like this.
I’m glad that we live in a time and place where we can protest without our heads ending up on pikes.
Gender equality will always be an issue in a lot of places in the world, unfortunately.
The punishment Marie endured may have been a little excessive, even though she deserved some punishment. That was a bit much.
Gender inequality still exists today.
As long as you’re promoting the same need for change, it shouldn’t matter what sex you are. Nothing says you have to be above someone else just because they’re female.
gender inequality has not changed. women still make 77 cents to the dollar compared to men. that is still coming, but if you have the same beliefs to lead a country, gender should not matter. society needs to fix this impression on genders.
Women were not seen as equals but more objects
Women were not seen as equals for a very, very long time. To this day, women still aren’t quite equal to men. Women get paid less in the same job setting; they also don’t get some jobs just because they are women. I believe it should be exactly equal for everyone.
I am so glad women have alot more rights than they did back in the day.
This was a nice change from most of the other articles we have read that typically discuss men and war. It is interesting to see how women were making a difference by fighting for what they believe in: getting rid of tyrannical leaders and the unjust society in which they lived in.
I never realized how bi women’s role was in the French Revolution. It was really interesting seeing women for the first time demand what they wanted and fight for it. Even though we still haven’t reached total gender equality, it is satisfying to read how strong women have been throughout history and how much they have fought for equality.
I think that those women really felt like that they had no choice and did so to have their voices heard. As the article says, the monarchy refused to negotiate or try to make living conditions better for their citizens. King Louis and Queen Marie Antoinette were living lavish lifestyles without a care in the world for their citizens. I think that this is partly due to them being very young when beginning their rule. However, i think it should have been their job as leaders to pay attention to the needs of their people and their suffering. Those women felt like if no one would fight for them, then they would fight for themselves. It makes me wonder how much the story of the American Revolution had an effect in what happens in France.
A large group of hungry women with weapons marching in revolt had to scare the king slightly. The women were able to gain support as they marched because almost all women felt the same and were able to unite against the leadership in power. After reading about Marie Antoinette in the previous unit, I now understand that these women had a right to be upset, for she was being dishonest in her leadership as queen.
When a government takes advantage of its people in order to simply live a luxurious lifestyle than actions need to be taken. In a time of revolution these brave women let their voices be heard as they fanned the flame of one of the great European revolutions.
I believe that women sticking up for the people of the city was ground breaking and the women let their voices be heard. The kind and queen had no intentions of helping citizens. The king and queen were more worried about their lives and being fancy and lavish.
I like hearing about women in history since they are often left out of historical narratives. I’ve never heard about this particular mob of women in Paris during the French Revolution. I’m sure these women were angry and tired of seeing their children starve while watching the French monarchy live lavishly on tax dollars.
These women deserve a lot of credit for standing up against the French monarchs. They rallied together to show their displeasure with the leaders of France. Today, we see many groups of women standing up for what they believe in just like these women in France.
I can believe that there were some French people that were starving, while the government was having lavish dinners. If this were the case today, the same thing would surely have happened. This makes me happy that we live in a country where we can pick our presidents and it is not a matter if being born into power.
I enjoyed reading about women taking a stand to the government. Often times we hear many stories about men and all the great things they have done, so it’s great to read about the courage these women had.
Reading that women were the ones who were taking a stand against the government is refreshing. They were being mistreated and could not provide for themselves or their families without food from the government so they did something about it.
It is impressive that these women had the courage to “protest” like this. Violence was a common theme at this time, but it coming from women was not so common.
Impressive that at this time women took a stand to government.
I’d like to here more about how women fought for their rights throughout early American history.
I am impressed that the women fought so hard for what they wanted. I would be angry too if the government was having lavish dinners while I was starving. It is uncommon to hear about women engaging in violence in this time, so this was very interesting to learn about.
The idea of revolting for the French definitely may have been influenced from the American Revolution (the French just having helped the Americans gain freedom). They were tired of the monarch living a lavish lifestyle while they were poor and hungry. Like the article said, storming Versailles, was just the start of what was to come.
During the 1700’s, it was very unusual to see women creating change in the world. This march on the palace could possibly have been some sort of shift in thinking of the genders. These women were brave to put themselves out there and stand for what they thought was right.
I think it is really awesome to see women in history stand up for what they want and what they believe in. Their determination and willingness to the government is inspiring.
This shows that women will stand up for what they believe is right. It is a powerful statement of threat when some of the women had their head’s on pikes but it also shows that they will die for what they believe in.
France at that timed seems like it was more like hell than it was earth. So much chaos and death.
France was just in pure chaos it was just an all out rebellion against any and everything. You know it’s bad when women even revolt who had virtually non existent rights at this time.
Being a women, this really means a lot to me. I love seeing women stand up for what they believe in.
By all means they have that right, its kinda like freedom of speech and they were not down with Louis XVI. But in france their was so many problems with rulings and all. Its sad women was never treated equal back then.
Women were and still are so underestimated by society and men! These women were very brave!
I really enjoy reading articles about history that involve women because not many things in history involve women. I think its great that these women showed they were fed up and attacked, I would have been right there with them.
Love seeing women standing for whats right and how interesting that the women in this time were willing to be killed in order to do what they needed to do.
It is amazing that gender equality had been an issue back then and discussion on this topic is still going on.
I would be horrified to see someone’s head decapitated and put on a pike, even if people didn’t think Marie Antoinette wasn’t a good Queen they still should’ve had some request for her.
Gender equality is still an on-going issue in today’s society. It’s ashame that after all of this time, women are still viewed as somewhat inferior to men.
I think that it’s bull how men treated women then and how they treat women now!
I’m glad that they abolished feudalism because it was not fair to the rest of the 97% of the country.
Weird to see after all this time gender equality is still an issue in todays time.
Wow, I had no idea women rioted too! America still struggles with gender issues today, especially when it comes to women’s rights and feminism.
Everyone is equal and the fact that this still goes on today is just insane. Also completely equal there is some things that men get publicly made a example of and if a woman were to do it, it is completely fine. This problem of equality is not just for men to work on.
I love that woman back then took a stand for themselves. The power of unity is the greatest and they made a statement themselves.