CCALS: France in Turmoil

We were very fortunate to welcome Professor William Doyle, a leading authority on the French Revolution, to speak to our Sixth Form historians. Over 80 students attended his fascinating talk, which provided valuable insights into one of history’s most turbulent periods.

Professor Doyle focused on the immense instability that gripped France in 1790. He discussed the unreliability of the army, the pivotal role played by the people of Paris, and the ambivalence shown by the royal family. He also explored how the religious schism fractured national consensus, fuelling counter-revolutionary forces and prompting Louis XVI to attempt to flee the country.

The talk was both engaging and thought-provoking.

Above all, Professor Doyle emphasised how the outbreak of war intensified fear and drove France towards increasing radicalisation, ultimately resulting in the emergence of a terror state. He concluded his talk by examining Napoleon’s rise to power, highlighting how Napoleon brought peace, ended the religious schism, and, in a striking turn of events, made himself monarch - thus bringing the revolution full circle.

The talk was both engaging and thought-provoking, offering our students a deeper understanding of the complexities and consequences of the French Revolution.