French Revolution & Napoleon (Grey History)

Lafayette’s time in prison, opportunities for Louis XVI to escape his fate, debt jubilees in the modern world, and extrajudicial killings! These are just some of the great topics explored in this special bonus episode for the Grey History Community! You can access the full episode by supporting the podcast today! Full Members-Only Questions & Answers Episode Listen to the full episode now! Join th...

Facing setbacks and defeat, the insurrectionists of Paris recommitted to the cause. Surrounding the Convention with armed force, the deputies of the Convention are compelled to submit. On June 2 1793, the Girondins were purged, and French history was changed forever. Exclusive Bonus Content (Episode Extras) 1.61 The Brave, Ironic and Chaotic Speech of Lanjuinais With connections to Louis XVI, the...

In this spectacular joint episode, Dominic Perry (The History of Egypt Podcast) and I team up to discuss the French Expedition to Egypt in 1798! We recap the revolutionary events that preceded the expedition, as well as the various motivations behind Napoleon's undertaking. We also explore what Europeans knew of Ancient Egypt before the invasion, as well as the lasting legacy of Napoleon's expedit...

Insurrection! With deadlock paralysing the Convention, and the Commission of Twelve provoking the radicals of Paris, another journée consumed the capital. With the establishment of the Central Revolutionary Committee and the Évêché Assembly, the sections of Paris led a new uprising against the national representation. The Insurrection of 31 May 1793 consumed the French Revolution, but it didn't ha...

To celebrate Ridley Scott's new Napoleon film, I'm giving away 15 Grey History T-Shirts! 10 shirts will be randomly won by members of the Grey History Community. Another 5 will be randomly won by subscribers to the Grey History Newsletter. All Champions of the People and Heroes of the Revolution can also claim a shirt. To enter, subscribe to the Grey History Newsletter (and get a free bonus episod...

With the revolution paralysed by factional feuds, the people of Paris moved to break the deadlock. This episode explores the weeks immediately preceding the Purge of the Girondins, including how Brissot and his allies rallied support across the country. It also examines the differing opinions of historians in relation to the actions of the Girondins in early 1793. With foreign plots and rumblings...

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...

The Committee of Public Literature and a Community Discord. These are just some of the ideas for new community initiatives, and I would love to hear your feedback! Please just reply to the associated post on Patreon, or message me directly on Patreon or Social Media. More feedback requests are also incoming! Community Discussion Space (Discord) Community Book / Journal Club (The Committee of Publi...

Division and discord cripple the Convention as factional warfare consumes the deputies. Empowered with new legislation, and gripped by fears of conspiracies, the deputies begin to arrest and impeach their own. The struggle to the death has begun! Exclusive Episode Extras (Bonus Content) 1. The Arrest of the Duc d'Orléans 2. Danton's Secrets The Grey History Community Help keep Grey History on the...

Pax Britannica is one of my favourite history podcasts. If you're looking for a great series on the English Civil Wars (and the British Empire more broadly), look no further! This episode swap features the trial of King Charles I. There's plenty of similarities and differences between this trial and that of Louis', so please enjoy! You can find Pax Britannica on all podcasting platforms. https://p...

With the French Revolution engulfed in crises, the deputies of the Convention (eventually) took action. New measures were introduced to crush the counter-revolution, measures which would become the hallmarks of the coming Reign of Terror. This episode explores the introduction of Representatives on Mission and the contentious re-establishment of the Revolutionary Tribunal. It examines the actions...

Bastille Day Special! How did the British react to the outbreak of the French Revolution? Why is Edmund Burke considered a founding father of political conservatism? What did Thomas Paine say to cause his trial for seditious libel? These are just some of the questions explored in this special episode of Grey History created for The History of England podcast. BONUS CONTENT Bastille Day Special - B...

Multiple crises radicalise the sans-culottes of the capital, and a new ultra-radical movement emerges on the revolutionary left. Those associated with the Enragés rose to challenge the National Convention, as well as the Girondins and Jacobins who dominated it. Exclusive Bonus Content (Episode Extras) 1.56.1 The Red Priest - Unpack the past of Jacques Roux, the most iconic leader of the Enragés. C...

The revolutionaries are confronted with a new challenge in the west. Recruitment riots grip the nation, and in a region known as the Vendée, these disturbances fast became organised resistance. By June 1793, civil war consumed western France, and large swaths of the countryside were controlled by the Royal and Catholic Army. In this episode, we explore why the Vendée was the first region to revolt...

The war expands and disaster strikes. This episode explores the entry of England and Holland into the Revolutionary War, as well as the French invasion of the Dutch Republic in February 1793. As Belgium begins to break, the Austrians and the Prussians unleash a devastating counter-attack, crippling the French military and causing chaos behind the lines. In the resulting disarray, General Dumouriez...

Why did the French get involved in the American Revolutionary War? How did the French help the Americans? Why did relations deteriorate between the two nations in the subsequent years? All these questions and more are explored in this special joint episode with Mike Troy of the American Revolution podcast! Join Mike and me as we unpack the French intervention and the evolution of French-American r...

I have been very ill with a severe case of Dengue Fever. Although I am now out of the hospital, I have not been able to return to the podcast as quickly as I had hoped. Please bear with me while I recover! Episode 54 “It’s Treason Then!” is now available to all patrons, and will be released on the public feed as soon as possible. All patrons also have access to my recent collaboration with the Ame...

The crusade for universal liberty runs into problems. While some occupied territories demand annexation, others resist the encroachment on their traditional rights and privileges. To make matters worse, factionalism cripples the Executive council, while tensions rise between the National Convention and General Dumouriez. With division impacting both the government and the army, what could possibly...

It's time to celebrate! As a thank you to everyone who has been helping spread the word about Grey History, the first bonus episode on the Corsican Revolution is temporarily available to everyone who signs up for the Grey History newsletter! Just provide your e-mail below and I'll send through the full-length bonus episode! immediately! SIGN UP HERE FOR CORSICAN REVOLUTION Episode 52 "The Corsican...

In the second and final Q&A episode, we’ll be covering why the French revolutionaries didn’t take more inspiration from the American constitution. We'll also explore ways a more moderate revolution could have been successfully established, as well as discuss how support for the revolution changed over time. Finally, we'll unpack financial questions relating to the new regime, as well as select act...

We've hit Episode 50 and there are some amazing questions to celebrate! In this episode, we'll be exploring the role of Robespierre, key turning points in Louis XVI's reign, and some interesting historical hypotheticals. We'll also unpack the impact of Icelandic volcanic activity on the revolution as well as my research methodology. Thank you to everyone who has sent in a question. If your questio...

On 21 January 1793, Louis XVI was executed by the French Republic. How did the King live his final hours? What preparations were made to ensure the King could not escape? What impact did this monumental event have on the revolution at home and abroad? These are the questions that will be explored in the final part of the King's trial. Exclusive Bonus Content (Episode Extras) 1.49.1 The Life of Hen...

With problems besetting the young republic, the Convention had to end the contentious trial of Louis XVI. How would the trial proceed? Who would determine the King's guilt and punishment? When would the judgment take effect? These are just some of the many questions the deputies grappled with as they dealt with the King's conviction and sentencing. Exclusive Bonus Content (Episode Extras) 1.48.1 S...

As the deputies proceed with the King's trial, a radical proposal upends the proceedings. Leading Girondins suggested "the appeal to the people", a national referendum to determine the King's fate. Rejected by the Mountain, both factions denounce the other as they seek to win the support of the Plain. This episode explores the appeal to the people, the positions of each faction on direct democracy...

With the republic declared and foreign armies pushed back beyond the frontiers, the National Convention had no choice but to turn its attention to justice. Should the King be tried? Could he even be tried? If he could, how would the nation hold its former monarch to account? These were the questions that gripped the Convention as they sought to prosecute Louis for a long list of crimes. Exclusive...