An exploration of the resemblance of 17th Century France academia and the present 21st Century United States academia in upending hard won, and hard to keep civilization. The Jacobins are out there.
https://www.study.eu/university/universite-de-paris
The Jacobins were a radical political faction during the French Revolution, known for their role in advocating for and implementing significant social and political changes. They played a crucial role during the most intense phase of the Revolution, particularly between 1792 and 1794.
The Jacobins were originally a debating society founded in 1789 by a group of liberal and reform-minded individuals who wanted to discuss political and social issues. As the Revolution progressed, their influence grew, and they evolved into a more cohesive political group with a particular focus on advancing republican ideals and social equality.
Key characteristics of the Jacobins during the French Revolution included:
- Radicalism: The Jacobins were known for their radical stance on political and social issues. They supported the idea of a republic rather than a monarchy and advocated for the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a democratic government.
- Popular Support: The Jacobins had significant support from the working class and urban poor, who saw them as champions of their interests and aspirations for equality and social justice.
- Commitment to Equality: The Jacobins believed in social equality and aimed to dismantle the privileges enjoyed by the aristocracy and the clergy. They pushed for measures that would redistribute land and wealth more equitably among the population.
- Robespierre’s Leadership: Maximilien Robespierre, a prominent Jacobin leader, became one of the most influential figures of the Revolution. He was a staunch advocate of virtue, equality, and the use of revolutionary measures to achieve these ideals.
- Reign of Terror: The Jacobins’ most controversial phase was the Reign of Terror (1793-1794), during which they held significant power and implemented severe measures to suppress counter-revolutionary activities. This period was marked by mass executions, including that of King Louis XVI and many perceived enemies of the Revolution.
- Centralization of Power: The Jacobins’ pursuit of their ideals sometimes led to the centralization of power in the hands of the Committee of Public Safety, which effectively concentrated authority under their control.
- Decline and Fall: The extreme measures of the Reign of Terror eventually led to public disillusionment and opposition. Robespierre’s increasing authoritarianism and perceived disregard for individual rights contributed to his downfall. In 1794, he and several other prominent Jacobin leaders were arrested and executed, marking the end of the Jacobin era.
The legacy of the Jacobins is complex and debated. They were instrumental in pushing forward radical reforms and republican ideals, but their methods, especially during the Reign of Terror, have also been criticized for their brutality and disregard for human rights. The Jacobins’ role in the French Revolution remains a topic of historical analysis and interpretation.
The Jacobin debating society in French was called “Société des Amis de la Constitution” or “Society of the Friends of the Constitution.” This society was initially formed in 1789 as a political club focused on discussing and advocating for constitutional reforms in France. Over time, it evolved into a more radical and influential political faction during the French Revolution, known simply as the “Jacobins.”
The University of Paris, particularly the Faculty of Arts, had a notable affiliation with the Jacobins during the French Revolution. The Faculty of Arts, also known as the Collège de France, was a center of education and intellectual activity in Paris. Many influential Jacobin leaders and supporters were educated at the University of Paris and were influenced by Enlightenment ideas that circulated within its academic circles.
Robespierre, one of the most prominent Jacobin leaders, studied law at the University of Paris. His education and exposure to revolutionary ideas played a role in shaping his political beliefs and his eventual leadership within the Jacobin movement.
It’s important to note that while the University of Paris had connections with the Jacobins, the movement itself was not limited to any single institution. The Jacobins had a broader presence throughout France and drew support from various social and educational backgrounds.
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the Jacobins were responsible for the mass killings that occurred during the Reign of Terror, which involved the extensive use of the guillotine as a method of execution. The Reign of Terror, a period from 1793 to 1794, was marked by extreme political repression and violence carried out by the Committee of Public Safety, a powerful body dominated by Jacobin leaders.
During the Reign of Terror, the Committee of Public Safety, under the leadership of figures like Maximilien Robespierre, implemented measures to suppress perceived enemies of the French Revolution and to root out counter-revolutionary activities. This led to the establishment of revolutionary tribunals that conducted trials and issued death sentences, often with little regard for due process.
The guillotine became the primary method of execution during this time because it was seen as a more egalitarian and efficient way of carrying out executions compared to previous methods. The guillotine was used to execute not only members of the aristocracy and perceived enemies of the Revolution but also a significant number of common citizens who were accused of being counter-revolutionaries or threats to the state.
The widespread and systematic use of the guillotine during the Reign of Terror resulted in a staggering number of executions across France. While the Reign of Terror was carried out under the banner of the Committee of Public Safety, the Committee was heavily influenced and led by Jacobins, making them directly responsible for the policies and actions that led to the mass killings during that period.
