‘We will die and we’ll be free’: An Analysis of Violence in the French and Romanian Revolutions

Carla M Forster (Editor), Elena Taylor

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

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    Abstract

    Violence is a powerful tool, used to both tear apart and unite people. When it comes to revolutions, violence can take many forms, be it causing damage to the human body and psyche or destroying buildings, important documents and symbols. The relationship between revolutionaries and violence, as well as the way it brings people together will be analysed in depth by comparing two case studies of arguably the bloodiest European revolutions of their time. Highlighting the key similarities between the French Revolution of 1789 and the Romanian Revolution of 1989, this piece will demonstrate the key role that violence played in their success and in their notoriety as unstable and fearmongering. The stabilising effect that violence can have in transitional revolutionary societies, and the creation of a scapegoat upon which violence can be inflicted freely can unite entire countries are key ideas which will be reflected upon.
    Interviewing Romanian Revolutionaries has unveiled key aspects in the understanding of the psychology of revolutionaries both during and after the revolution, as well as the societal impact that violence has once a new regime has successfully been installed.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalBristol Institute for Learning and Teaching (BILT) Student Research Journal
    Issue number5
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2024

    Keywords

    • violence
    • French revolution
    • Romanian revolution

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