French Revolution & Napoleon (Grey History)

Make terror the order of the day! With news of Toulon's treason hitting a hungry capital, insurrection returns to Paris. Spurred on by the ultraradical factions, the people demand food and the means the seize it! This episode explores the last successful rising of the Parisian Sans-Culottes. From price controls to the Revolutionary Army, the popular movement scores considerable victories! Episode...

Clash of the Jacobin Giants! Eager to entrench his leadership of the ultra-radical movement, Hébert goes on the attack. Denouncing Danton and Montagnard moderates, the Hébertists also clash with Robespierre. With power struggles erupting over the Constitution and the Committee of Public Safety, the fracturing of the Mountain had begun!  This episode explores efforts to refresh the Committee of Pub...

Explore one of the most unique and controversial Founding Fathers! Together with Historian Daniele Bolelli (History on Fire Podcast), this episode examines the life and impact of Thomas Paine. The conversation covers Paine's influential works, 'Common Sense’, 'Rights of Man’, and ‘The Age of Reason’, and highlights his pivotal role in the American and French revolutions. Despite his popular contri...

Hunger returns to Paris! Plagued by shortages and inflation, the capital's Jacobins battle to maintain control. Amidst the unrest, the Enraged strike back! This episode explores the continuing power struggles between the Jacobins, the Hébertists, and the Enragés. It also unpacks the shifting policies of these factions as all try to retain the support of the sans-culottes. Early Access Don't wait!...

The faction menace returns! The Enraged and the Jacobins battle for supremacy, while the Hébertists rise to challenge both! This episode explore The Manifesto of the Enraged, and the emergence of Jacques Hébert as a revolutionary leader. Early Access Don't wait! Support the show and listen to Episode 77 "The Battle for the Sans-Culottes Part II" now! Available for all True Revolutionaries and abov...

Murder in the bathtub! Explore the most famous assassination of the French Revolution! From the motives of Charlotte Corday to the legacy of Jean-Paul Marat, this episode leaves unpacks it all! Bonus Content 1.75.1 The Cult of Marat A new Jesus?! Explore the crazy developments of the Cult of Marat! Early Access Don't wait! Support the show and listen to Episode 76 "The Battle for the Sans-Culottes...

History Daily is another great history podcast that you might enjoy. Every weekday, host Lindsay Graham takes you back in time to explore a momentous event that happened ‘on this day’ in history. Whether it’s to remember the tragedy of December 7th, 1941, the day “that will live in infamy,” or to celebrate that 20th day in July 1969, when mankind reached the moon, History Daily is there to tell yo...

It’s time for the French History Games! I team up with The Age of Napoleon and The Siècle to host a very special sporting event. Get ready for some controversial gold medal winners, and you can nominate your own! Nominate Your Winners & Feature on the Show! Keen to share your thoughts? Use the link below to nominate your own winners for the following events: Corruption, Disappointment, Misfortune,...

An instrument of pacification. Fearful of civil war and another insurrection, the deputies of the National Convention (finally) create a constitution. Despite the fact it was never properly implemented, the Constitution of 1793 continues to shape our politics in the 21st century. Early Access Don't wait! Support the show and listen to Episode 75 "The Death of Marat" now! Available for all True Rev...

Was evacuating 30,000 civilians from Toulon even possible? What happens to Napoleon after the siege? How did Gironde respond to the purge of their deputies? These questions and more are explored in this fantastic bonus episode available exclusively for members of the Grey History Community! Listen Here The Grey History Community Help keep Grey History on the air! Every revolution needs its support...

A tremendous victory and a terrible cost. Explore the trials and controversies of the siege of Toulon, and Napoleon’s great victory! Don't miss the Episode Extras! 1.73.1 The Evacuation of Toulon Thousands try to flee Toulon as the Republic’s armies advance. In the resulting chaos, scenes of misery and panic define the last hours of the siege. Historians paint starkly different pictures of these e...

From lions to ghosts, this episode has it all! Host Will Clark and Gavin Whitehead (The Art of Crime Podcast) discuss six noteworthy examples of revolutionary art! You're in for a treat! Early Access Don't wait! Support the show and listen to Episode 73 "Toulon V: Napoleon's Triumph" now! Available for all True Revolutionaries and above! Artwork See images of the artwork discussed here! June 2024...

Having seized the port of Toulon, how were they going to keep it? That was the question which vexed the First Coalition. Mistakes were plentiful as both sides blundered their response. Amongst the chaos and bloodshed, a young Napoleon Bonaparte plotted his first victory. Episode Extras 1.72 Unwanted Help Explore potential allies for Toulon's defence, and examine the complications of Hood's decisio...

As the Federalist Revolts collapsed around them, the citizens of Toulon faced an unenviable choice: the Jacobins or the British. Their decision would shape the Republic, the Empire, and the entire history of Europe!  Early Access Don't wait! Support the show and listen to Episode 72 "Toulon IV: The Siege of Toulon" now! Available for all True Revolutionaries and above! The Grey History Community H...

Toulon's history is like no other. Defined by violence and contradictions, the presence of the mighty naval arsenal shaped every aspect of Toulon. This episode explores the town's history, it's struggles, and it's numerous deviations from the norm. Early Access Don't wait! Support the show and listen to Episode 71 "Toulon III: Terror or Treason!" now! Available for all True Revolutionaries and abo...

Toulon turns to treason. Placing its hopes in the First Coalition, the French rebels found an alliance crippled by mistrust and division. With the allies focused on their own self-interests, the war with France was often a secondary consideration compared to other territorial or commercial gains. This episode explore the dysfunctions of the First Coalition. Firstly, in unpacks Anglo-Spanish relati...

Where was Napoleon prior to the Siege of Toulon? How had the revolution impacted his career and his native home of Corsica? What were Napoleon's experiences of the social schisms which gripped revolutionary France? All of this, and more, is explored in this fantastic episode with the Age of Napoleon podcast. Early Access Don't wait! Support the show and listen to Episode 69 "Toulon: The Flimsy Coa...

“To arms, Frenchmen, to arms!”. As Marseille rallied the country to revolt, the great port city achieved stunning success. Angered by the purging of the Girondins, and driven by its own internal divisions, Marseille marched on Paris to overthrow the Jacobin tyranny. Yet, despite “liberating” Avignon in July 1793, setbacks soon become insurmountable. Forced into a corner, Marseille and nearby Toulo...

With the bloodshed of Lyon's Terror mired in controversy, there's no shortage of grey to explore! Examine what motivated Collot d'Herbois to embrace bloody repression. Learn how the Committee of Public Safety responded to his divisive actions. Who is responsible for the excesses in the city, and why do historians bitterly disagree? These are just some of the ambiguities we'll unpack in this bonus...

Confronted by the purge of the Girondins, the city of Lyon commences insurrection. The rebellion does not go to plan. Despite attempts at a negotiated solution, the city's revolt ends in horrific bloodshed. The Terror in Lyon permanently tarnishes the revolutionary project.   Early Access Don't wait! Support the show and listen to Episode 67 "Lyon IV: The Blame Game" now! Available for all True Re...

Insurrection arrives in the city of silk! Although consumed by the same factionalism which devoured the capital, Lyon charts a unique path in 1793. With an unusual twist to familiar developments, the scene was set for one of the most controversial acts of the Reign of Terror. Early Access Don't wait! Support the show and listen to Episode 66 "Lyon: Liberated City" now! Available for all True Revol...

Famed for being a bastion of reaction, the Republic's second city was anything but. This episode explores Lyon's unique experience of the revolution, unpacking both it's conservative and revolutionary stages. A trailblazer for popular democracy, the history of Lyon is one of contradictions, misnomers, and copious amounts of silk. It's also one civil war and terror... Early Access Don't wait! Suppo...

How did the French Revolution shape American politics? Why did the French Revolutionaries diverge from the Americans? Did the American Revolution inspire revolutionaries across the Atlantic? In this fantastic episode with Bruce Carlson of My History Can Beat Up Your Politics, we explore a range of intersections between the French Revolution and American history! If you have questions, send them on...

Normandy and Brittany declare insurrection. Proclaiming their intention to march against the capital, a northern army was assembled to crush the anarchists in Paris. But, despite noteworthy successes, the Federalist Revolt of the North ended in disaster. Why did the Norman port of Caen become a key federalist stronghold? Did the insurrections pursue a truly federalist program? How did Paris respon...

Outraged by the coup in the capital, insurrections erupted across the nation. With leading Girondins fleeing to the provinces, civil war was sure to follow. The Federalist Revolts had begun! This episode explores the national and local causes of the Federalist Revolts, as well as the meaning of federalism in the context of the French Revolution. It also examines key debates regarding the civil war...