Our resident historian Dr. John Foster discussed the origin of the French Revolution during a lecture earlier this week.
We’ve posted the talk online in its entirety for this unable to attend. (By the way, sorry for the technical glitches. We hope you enjoy the video anyhow.)
Foster explains:
- how France’s enormous debt precipitated the Revolution
- how the Third Estate (that is, everyone but nobility and clergy) wrested power from the nobility and clergy
- how public perception of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette is, in some ways, unfairly skewed
- what ultimately doomed King Louis XVI
- the relationship between the American and French revolutions.
Speaking of which, each year Foster gives a series of lectures about American history. His previous topics include the Battles of World War II and US Presidents of the 20th Century. This year, he’ll discuss the American Revolution.
The series begins at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, at our Main Branch. The topic is the origins of the Revolution.
Finally, if you’re interested, most of Foster’s previous historical talks can be viewed in their entirety on our YouTube channel.