Episode 53 - The Times That Try Men’s Souls

In part three of his series on the unifications of Germany and Italy, Dan talks about the turbulent 1850s and early 60s. In Germany, this is a time of mass industrialization. With the regional economy growing at a record pace, Prussia and Austria engage in saber-rattling diplomacy over the future of the German Confederation.   Meanwhile, the new King of Piedmont-Sardinia, Victor Emmanuel II, aims to do what his father could not: conquer all of Italy. Taking advantage of Austrian weakness – and a burgeoning alliance with France – he and three other men will engineer a revolution that unites the Apennine Peninsula for the first time since the Roman Empire.   TABLE OF CONTENTS: Chapter One: The German Question – 00:04:22 Chapter Two: The Erfurt Union – 00:30:15 Chapter Three: The (Austrian) Empire Strikes Back – 00:42:24 Chapter Four: Enter Bismarck – 01:03:59 Chapter Five: Goodbye, Friedrich Wilhelm – 01:32:59 Chapter Six: Repression in Lombardy – 01:41:19 Chapter Seven: Enter Camillo Cavour – 01:51:20 Chapter Eight: Enter Victor Emmanuel – 02:04:32 Chapter Nine: The Crimean War – 02:17:48 Chapter Ten: Engineering a Revolution – 02:39:34 Chapter Eleven: The War for Northern Italy – 03:05:02 Chapter Twelve: The Expedition of the Thousand – 03:34:34 Chapter Thirteen: The Dictator of Sicily – 04:14:24 Chapter Fourteen: The Conquest of Southern Italy – 04:28:49 Chapter Fifteen: The Proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy – 04:51:04 Chapter Sixteen: Rome and the Risorgimento – 05:13:43   SUBSCRIBE TO RELEVANT HISTORY, AND NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! Relevant History Patreon: https://bit.ly/3vLeSpF Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/38bzOvo Subscribe on Apple Music (iTunes): https://apple.co/2SQnw4q Subscribe on Any Platform: https://bit.ly/RelHistSub Relevant History on Twitter/X: https://bit.ly/3eRhdtk Relevant History on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2Qk05mm Official website: https://bit.ly/3btvha4 Episode transcript (90% accurate): https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTILtf6-xAur_LTmOc_UJ7iH-H3L0l_O_jUjd2CwhN9q3CWJV6zM2UCbss4HP1saanj2jSurstKqKX0/pub/ Music credit: Sergey Cheremisinov - Black Swan   SOURCES: Derek Beales and Eugenio F. Biagini, The Risorgimento and the Unification of Italy David Blackbourn, The Long Nineteenth Century: A History of Germany 1780-1918 – https://www.scribd.com/document/261666797/Long-Nineteenth-Century-History-of-Germany-1780-1918-the-David-Blackbourn Carlo Bossoli, The War in Italy Tim Chapman, The Risorgimento: Italy 1815-71 – https://read.amazon.com/?asin=B003SNK19G&ref_=dbs_t_r_kcr Gordon A. Craig, Germany 1866-1945 Erich Eyck, Bismarck and the German Empire Charles Stuart Forbes, The Campaign of Garibaldi in the Two Sicilies: A Personal Narrative Giuseppe Garibaldi, Autobiography of Giuseppe Garibaldi – -Volume 1: https://archive.org/details/autobiographyofg0001gari/page/n3/mode/2up -Volume 2: https://archive.org/details/autobiographyofg0002gari/page/n3/mode/2up  -Supplement by Jesse White Mario: https://archive.org/details/autobiographyofg0003gari/page/4/mode/2up E.E.Y. Hales, Pio Nono: A Masterful Study of Pius IX and His Role in Nineteenth-Century European Politics and Religion Denis Mack Smith, Cavour, a Biography Denis Mack Smith, Cavour and Garibaldi, 1860: A Study in Political Conflict Denis Mack Smith, The Making of Italy, 1796-1870 – https://archive.org/details/makingofitaly1790000mack/page/n3/mode/2up Denis Mack Smith, Mazzini Denis Mack Smith, Modern Italy, A Political History Denis Mack Smith, Victor Emanuel, Cavour, and the Risorgimento Giuseppe Mazzini, Address to Pope Pius IX, On His Encyclical Letter – https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=YURTAAAAcAAJ&pg=GBS.PP4&hl=en Damian McElrath, The Syllabus of Pius IX: Some Reactions in England The New York Times, The Attempted Assassination of the Emperor of the French - https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1858/02/09/78528596.pdf Robin Okey, The Habsburg Monarchy: From Enlightenment to Eclipse – https://archive.org/details/habsburgmonarchy0000okey/page/n5/mode/2up Jürgen Osterhammel, The Transformation of the World, A Global History of the Nineteenth Century – https://www.everand.com/read/261688401/The-Transformation-of-the-World-A-Global-History-of-the-Nineteenth-Century Alan Palmer, Twilight of the Habsburgs: The Life and Times of Emperor Francis Joseph – https://archive.org/details/twilightofhabsbu0000palm Pope Pius IX, The Syllabus of Errors: https://www.papalencyclicals.net/pius09/p9syll.htm Trevor Royle, Crimea, The Great Crimean War 1854-1856 Frederick C. Schneid, The Second War of Italian Unification 1859-61 James J. Sheehan, German History, 1770-1866 (Oxford History of Modern Europe) Jonathan Steinberg, Bismarck: A Life

Often called the “Springtime of Nations,” the year 1848 is one of turmoil throughout Europe. Revolutions are everywhere, from France to Romania. In Germany, Prussia is ascendant. Rather than fight calls for German nationalization, savvy King Friedrich Wilhelm IV puts himself at the head of the revolution. Austria watches helplessly from the sidelines, distracted by trouble at home and abroad. In Italy, King Charles Albert of Piedmont-Sardinia battles the Austrians for control in the north, while local revolutions topple governments in Venice, Florence, and Rome itself.   I apologize for the drop in audio quality from roughly 1:58:30 to 2:11:20. Audacity wasn’t recording for that portion so I had to make do with the already-compressed audio from OBS.   TABLE OF CONTENTS: Chapter One: The Sleeping Volcano – 00:04:43 Chapter Two: The Fall of Metternich – 00:32:33 Chapter Three: The Vienna Uprising and the Hungarian Rebellion – 01:01:34 Chapter Four: Enter Franz Joseph – 01:31:34 Chapter Five: Crisis in Germany – 01:41:53 Chapter Six: The Curious Case of Lola Montez – 02:13:48 Chapter Seven: King Friedrich Wilhelm, the Conservative Revolutionary – 02:13:48 Chapter Eight: The First Schleswig-Holstein War – 02:24:20 Chapter Nine: The Revolution in Venice – 02:42:33 Chapter Ten: Charles Albert Versus Radetzky – 03:14:53 Chapter Eleven: Enter Garibaldi – 03:36:46 Chapter Twelve: A Sidebar on Sicily – 04:01:17 Chapter Thirteen: The Return of Mazzini – 04:08:29 Chapter Fourteen: Charles Albert Tries Again – 04:22:51 Chapter Fifteen: The Fall of the Roman Republic – 04:32:27 Chapter Sixteen: The Siege of Venice – 04:47:07 Chapter Seventeen: The End of the Revolution – 04:58:57   SUBSCRIBE TO RELEVANT HISTORY, AND NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! Relevant History Patreon: https://bit.ly/3vLeSpF Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/38bzOvo Subscribe on Apple Music (iTunes): https://apple.co/2SQnw4q Subscribe on Any Platform: https://bit.ly/RelHistSub Relevant History on Twitter/X: https://bit.ly/3eRhdtk Relevant History on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2Qk05mm Official website: https://bit.ly/3btvha4 Episode transcript (90% accurate): https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRXQnNgiTX89RksqftH8gEfgwhpUtw6tHz9-zvMh4o3ddwcwq2rMui9dkFfpXixkpNVDD6xR9xtQHb8/pub Music credit: Sergey Cheremisinov - Black Swan   SOURCES: David Blackbourn, The Long Nineteenth Century: A History of Germany 1780-1918 – https://www.scribd.com/document/261666797/Long-Nineteenth-Century-History-of-Germany-1780-1918-the-David-Blackbourn Tim Chapman, The Risorgimento: Italy 1815-71 – https://read.amazon.com/?asin=B003SNK19G&ref_=dbs_t_r_kcr Gordon A. Craig, Germany 1866-1945 Friedrich Engels, Germany: Revolution and Counter-Revolution – https://archive.org/details/germanyrevolutio00enge_0 Erich Eyck, Bismarck and the German Empire Giuseppe Garibaldi, Autobiography of Giuseppe Garibaldi – -Volume 1: https://archive.org/details/autobiographyofg0001gari/page/n3/mode/2up -Volume 2: https://archive.org/details/autobiographyofg0002gari/page/n3/mode/2up  -Supplement by Jesse White Mario: https://archive.org/details/autobiographyofg0003gari/page/4/mode/2up Paul Ginsborg, Daniele Manin and the Venetian Revolution of 1848-1849 - https://archive.org/details/danielemaninvene0000gins/page/n5/mode/2up James Morton, Lola Montez: Her Life & Conquests - https://archive.org/details/lolamontezherlif0000mort/page/80/mode/2up Robin Okey, The Habsburg Monarchy: From Enlightenment to Eclipse – https://archive.org/details/habsburgmonarchy0000okey/page/n5/mode/2up Jürgen Osterhammel, The Transformation of the World, A Global History of the Nineteenth Century – https://www.everand.com/read/261688401/The-Transformation-of-the-World-A-Global-History-of-the-Nineteenth-Century Alan Palmer, Twilight of the Habsburgs: The Life and Times of Emperor Francis Joseph – https://archive.org/details/twilightofhabsbu0000palm Carlo Pisacane, Guerra Combattuta in Italia Neglo Anni 1848-49 Mike Rapport, 1848, Year of Revolution Denis Mack Smith, The Making of Italy, 1796-1870 – https://archive.org/details/makingofitaly1790000mack/page/n3/mode/2up Denis Mack Smith, Modern Italy, A Political History Nick Svendsen, The First Schleswig-Holstein War 1848-50 – https://www.everand.com/read/402302021/The-First-Schleswig-Holstein-War-1848-50

At the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the victorious allied powers restore Central Europe to its pre-war status: a bunch of small, semi-independent German and Italian states, dominated by more powerful neighbors. But the idea of nationalism, spread by Napoleon’s armies, is a genie you can’t put back in the bottle. In the German Confederation, 38 tiny countries try to establish their legitimacy, but are overshadowed by the Austrian Empire in the south and the Kingdom of Prussia in the north. Without a clear path to political nationalization, German intellectuals instead focus on building a unified German culture. In Italy, revolutionaries like Giuseppe Mazzini openly call for Risorgimento – a resurgence of Italian national identity. Drawing their inspiration from ancient Rome, these young revolutionaries will spend an entire generation battling to overthrow their Austrian overlords while avoiding French domination. SUBSCRIBE TO RELEVANT HISTORY, AND NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! Relevant History Patreon: https://bit.ly/3vLeSpF Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/38bzOvo Subscribe on Apple Music (iTunes): https://apple.co/2SQnw4q Subscribe on Any Platform: https://bit.ly/RelHistSub   Relevant History on Twitter/X: https://bit.ly/3eRhdtk Relevant History on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2Qk05mm Official website: https://bit.ly/3btvha4  Episode transcript (90% accurate): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r7N2KkmrRtrPBJliHzEkkKlmEsGtk8c8NzWI03eRn7A/pub    Music credit: Sergey Cheremisinov - Black Swan   SOURCES: David Blackbourn, The Long Nineteenth Century: A History of Germany 1780-1918 – https://www.scribd.com/document/261666797/Long-Nineteenth-Century-History-of-Germany-1780-1918-the-David-Blackbourn  Tim Chapman, The Risorgimento: Italy 1815-71 – https://read.amazon.com/?asin=B003SNK19G&ref_=dbs_t_r_kcr Gordon A. Craig, Germany 1866-1945 Friedrich Engels, Revolution and Counter-Revolution in Germany – https://archive.org/details/germanyrevolutio00enge_0 Erich Eyck, Bismarck and the German Empire Giuseppe Garibaldi, Autobiography of Giuseppe Garibaldi – https://archive.org/details/autobiographyofg0003gari/page/4/mode/2up Giuseppe Mazzini, Address to Pope Pius IX, On His Encyclical Letter – https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=YURTAAAAcAAJ&pg=GBS.PP4&hl=en Jürgen Osterhammel, The Transformation of the World, A Global History of the Nineteenth Century – https://www.everand.com/read/261688401/The-Transformation-of-the-World-A-Global-History-of-the-Nineteenth-Century Alan Palmer, Twilight of the Habsburgs: The Life and Times of Emperor Francis Joseph – https://archive.org/details/twilightofhabsbu0000palm Pope Pius IX, Non Semel (Italian) – https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-ix/it/documents/allocuzione-non-semel-29-aprile-1848.html Mike Rapport, 1848, Year of Revolution Denis Mack Smith, The Making of Italy, 1796-1870 – https://archive.org/details/makingofitaly1790000mack/page/n3/mode/2up Denis Mack Smith, Modern Italy, A Political History Nick Svendsen, The First Schleswig-Holstein War 1848-50 – https://www.everand.com/read/402302021/The-First-Schleswig-Holstein-War-1848-50 

In the first century BC, the Roman Republic is expanding rapidly across the Mediterranean basin. As the legions venture eastward into Anatolia, the Romans are able to divide and conquer all of their enemies, except for one: Mithridates VI of Pontus, also known as the Poison King.   Mithridates is more than a mere historical figure; he’s a mythic hero, born under the sign of a shooting star and nearly murdered by his own mother before spending much of his youth in the wilderness. These details may sound made up, but truth is often stranger than fiction, and the story of Mithridates is one of the strangest ever told.   Map of Anatolia during Mithridates’ reign: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Asia_Minor_in_the_Greco-Roman_period_-_general_map_-_regions_and_main_settlements.jpg   My Interview with Sean McFadden of Deep Noetics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eecCdz7cbug   SUBSCRIBE TO RELEVANT HISTORY, AND NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! Relevant History Patreon: https://bit.ly/3vLeSpF Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/38bzOvo Subscribe on Apple Music (iTunes): https://apple.co/2SQnw4q Subscribe on Any Platform: https://bit.ly/RelHistSub   Relevant History on Twitter/X: https://bit.ly/3eRhdtk Relevant History on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2Qk05mm Official website: https://bit.ly/3btvha4   Episode transcript (90% accurate): https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRmqvP5OKsISkJeh798lUhzBaublU3RwXtQJm78gx0jBSn5i5rM7PlmXIC7RXxs2G6bjymLQKKX8Kgn/pub Music credit: Sergey Cheremisinov - Black Swan   SOURCES: Appian: https://www.livius.org/sources/content/appian/appian-the-mithridatic-wars/ Cassius Dio: https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Cassius_Dio/home.html Justin: https://www.attalus.org/translate/justin6.html#37.1 Livy: https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/baker-the-history-of-rome-vol-6 (Livy’s work on Mithridates is lost. Only a summary remains.) Philip Matyszak, Mithridates the Great, Rome’s Indomitable Enemy: https://www.everand.com/read/444975669/Mithridates-the-Great-Rome-s-Indomitable-Enemy Adrienne Mayor, The Poison King, the Life and Legend of Mithradates, Rome’s Deadliest Enemy Valerius Maximus: http://attalus.org/info/valerius.html Brian McGing, The Foreign Policy of Mithridates VI Eupator, King of Pontus: https://archive.org/details/foreignpolicyofm0000mcgi/page/n13/mode/2up Brian McGing (Encyclopaedia Iranica article on Pontus): https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/pontus Plutarch’s Parallel Lives:                 -Sulla https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Sulla*.html                 -Lucullus https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Lucullus*.html                 -Pompey https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Pompey*.html                 -Sertorius https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Sertorius*.html Rank-Raglan mythotype and scores: https://everything.explained.today/Rank%E2%80%93Raglan_mythotype/ Laurence M. V. Totelin (study on antidote): https://www.jstor.org/stable/4130095?read-now=1&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

Bonus Episode – Why Capitalists Make the Best Communists In this bonus episode, Dan delves into the nitty-gritty of far-left politics and the history of various ideologies dedicated to the establishment of communism. Then he asks the question: What if the best way to build an egalitarian utopia is via the power of capitalism? Apologies for the constant birdsong in the background. It was a gorgeous day and I decided to record with the window open. Never again! SUBSCRIBE TO RELEVANT HISTORY, AND NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! Relevant History Patreon: https://bit.ly/3vLeSpF Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/38bzOvo Subscribe on Apple Music (iTunes): https://apple.co/2SQnw4q Subscribe on Any Platform: https://bit.ly/RelHistSub   Relevant History on Twitter/X: https://bit.ly/3eRhdtk Relevant History on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2Qk05mm Official website: https://bit.ly/3btvha4 Episode transcript (90% accurate): https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQJPex4SmcO4a7c-p2sh7OEz0VaDlS1_oxinP_qlwWz5IhxwBgGnkyYw11LPKY6XxzmsdevibU40VYL/pub            Music credit: Sergey Cheremisinov - Black Swan

In the sixth and final installment on the French Revolution, Dan takes a deep dive into one of history’s most influential and controversial figures: Napoleon Bonaparte. After winning victory for France in Northern Italy, the brilliant young general has the attention of the French Directory. A campaign in Egypt and victory in another war will put Napoleon in a position to become Emperor. But across the English Channel, Great Britain continues a naval blockade and a diplomatic campaign to unite Europe against the new French Empire. To hold onto power, Napoleon will battle a series of coalitions, each time hoping it will be the last. Win or lose, one thing is certain: Europe – and the world – will never be the same. NOTE: Because this is a very long episode, I have included timestamps for each chapter at the end of this description.   SUBSCRIBE TO RELEVANT HISTORY, AND NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! Relevant History Patreon: https://bit.ly/3vLeSpF Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/38bzOvo Subscribe on Apple Music (iTunes): https://apple.co/2SQnw4q Subscribe on Any Platform: https://bit.ly/RelHistSub     Relevant History on Twitter/X: https://bit.ly/3eRhdtk Relevant History on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2Qk05mm Official website: https://bit.ly/3btvha4   Episode transcript (90% accurate): https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSX7OwjHODNJxt3aNlynA1e2SPLsHaavqDrhe4RmhOWBJwB23UlY84yO6nIXdutScKLplri9xQVUIwi/pub Music credit: Sergey Cheremisinov - Black Swan   CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS: Introduction – 0:00:00 Chapter 1: The French Directory – 0:5:09 Chapter 2: The Invasion of Egypt – 0:33:03 Chapter 3: The Second Directory – 0:55:04 Chapter 4: Napoleon Takes Command – 1:10:32 Chapter 5: The War of the Second Coalition – 1:41:18 Chapter 6: The French Consulate – 2:20:01 Chapter 7: A Changing Continent – 2:47:07 Chapter 8: Emperor Napoleon – 3:08:54 Chapter 9: The War of the Third Coalition – 3:32:04 Chapter 10: Austerlitz – 3:52:41 Chapter 11: The End of an Empire – 4:13:22 Chapter 12: The War of the Fourth Coalition – 4:30:35 Chapter 13: The Continental System and the Peninsular War – 4:48:09 Chapter 14: Re-Painting the Map of Europe – 5:02:30 Chapter 15: The War of the Fifth Coalition – 5:21:38 Chapter 16: Life in Napoleonic France – 5:42:49 Chapter 17: Spies and Diplomats – 5:54:01 Chapter 18: The Grande Armée – 6:10:27 Chapter 19: The Arson of Moscow – 6:31:46 Chapter 20: The War of 1812 – 6:41:45 Chapter 21: The War of the Sixth Coalition – 6:49:15 Chapter 22: The Fall of an Emperor – 7:28:24 Chapter 23: Elba – 7:44:39 Chapter 24: The Bourbon Restoration – 7:56:20 Chapter 25: The March to Paris – 8:13:11 Chapter 26: The Hundred Days – 8:28:31 Chapter 27: Waterloo – 8:43:24 Chapter 28: The Death of a Legend – 9:02:22 Chapter 29: The World After Napoleon – 9:14:19 Epilogue: What Did the French Revolution Achieve? – 9:42:38

The Reign of Terror reaches a climax when the French Revolutionaries begin to turn on one another. Jacques Hébert and Georges Danton are executed, and Robespierre rules briefly as a dictator, verging on a god-king. After the Festival of the Supreme Being, he too will face the guillotine.   A new government takes power, ruled by men like the corrupt Paul Barras, who have survived the Reign of Terror. Meanwhile, a new generation of military commanders also takes the stage, led by an artillery commander named Napoleon Bonaparte. Will the republic survive, or will the French Revolution lead to another dictatorship?   SUBSCRIBE TO RELEVANT HISTORY, AND NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! Relevant History Patreon: https://bit.ly/3vLeSpF Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/38bzOvo Subscribe on Apple Music (iTunes): https://apple.co/2SQnw4q Subscribe on Any Platform: https://bit.ly/RelHistSub     Relevant History on Twitter/X: https://bit.ly/3eRhdtk Relevant History on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2Qk05mm Official website: https://bit.ly/3btvha4   Episode transcript (90% accurate): https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRKfoIREpNFsjjY4mL3WX4yv8ILnwflsNzI9vVQwLk_mGDjyIFLpRpYXj7BwmwtNqAN175UbxTA_EvV/pub   Music credit: Sergey Cheremisinov - Black Swan

When the young French Republic declares war on the Netherlands, all hell breaks loose. Within a month, the French find themselves facing a coalition that includes Austria, Prussia, Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, and most of Italy. At home, a counter-revolution in the rural Vendee region threatens to tear the country in two, and smaller federalist revolts break out in several major cities. In Paris, Robespierre and the Mountain seize control of the government from the Girondins, and send a flurry of people to the guillotine. SUBSCRIBE TO RELEVANT HISTORY, AND NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! Relevant History Patreon: https://bit.ly/3vLeSpF Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/38bzOvo Subscribe on Apple Music (iTunes): https://apple.co/2SQnw4q Subscribe on Any Platform: https://bit.ly/RelHistSub   Relevant History on Twitter/X: https://bit.ly/3eRhdtk Relevant History on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2Qk05mm Official website: https://bit.ly/3btvha4 Episode transcript (90% accurate): https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRusOl_rHgnMfqWl2_2gfj95U_IWl5Jfqh8xm9edKVP5iOZ76DH9nk6QnqVSXwFKe9Xpk_3SDjhVsG6/pub Music credit: Sergey Cheremisinov - Black Swan

After the Flight to Varennes, the Parisian public turns decisively against Louis XVI. The French constitutional monarchy teeters on the brink, reliant on a war with Austria to maintain public confidence. When the war turns against France, the French people turn against their government and overthrow the King for good. A new legislature is formed, and the revolutionaries struggle to achieve their goals on the battlefield and in politics. Meanwhile, the French Revolution cannot move forward with a deposed King who sits in limbo. As 1792 comes to a close, Louis XVI is put on trial for his life. ***CONTENT WARNING*** Since we’re coming up on the Reign of Terror and a lot of people are about to get guillotined, the last portion of this episode is an addendum on the history of capital punishment. This addendum covers both the pre-modern and modern world, and I talk about both state and non-state actors. There are graphic descriptions of torture and execution, so proceed with caution. SUBSCRIBE TO RELEVANT HISTORY, AND NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! Relevant History Patreon: https://bit.ly/3vLeSpF Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/38bzOvo Subscribe on Apple Music (iTunes): https://apple.co/2SQnw4q Subscribe on Any Platform: https://bit.ly/RelHistSub   Relevant History on Twitter/X: https://bit.ly/3eRhdtk Relevant History on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2Qk05mm Official website: https://bit.ly/3btvha4 Episode transcript (90% accurate): https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSyb6ZCzMdX7smyU089I2hTLvboZamoo7WXWBYlTRXAld0Tszm80D5g1_e2MYW8x0HwNAR_yNxRd71K/pub Music credit: Sergey Cheremisinov - Black Swan

After the Storming of the Bastille, the French Revolution shifts into high gear. The Constituent Assembly quickly abolishes feudal reforms and promotes the foundation of a new government with a document: the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. 1790 is a quieter year, but under the surface, divisions harden as the Paris political clubs metamorphosize into modern political parties. Meanwhile, the Assembly faces unexpected backlash when it passes the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, a law that converts all Catholic clergy into civil servants employed by the state. All of this culminates in the famous Flight to Varennes, an ill-fated attempt by the royal family to escape France altogether. The consequences for France – and for humanity – are yet to be seen. Dan’s interview with Ro Martin on the Stoned Genius podcast: https://spotify.link/wZdJiSEY4Db SUBSCRIBE TO RELEVANT HISTORY, AND NEVER MISS AN EPISODE! Relevant History Patreon: https://bit.ly/3vLeSpF Subscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/38bzOvo Subscribe on Apple Music (iTunes): https://apple.co/2SQnw4q Subscribe on Any Platform: https://bit.ly/RelHistSub   Relevant History on Twitter/X: https://bit.ly/3eRhdtk Relevant History on Facebook: https://bit.ly/2Qk05mm Official website: https://bit.ly/3btvha4 Episode transcript (90% accurate): https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRO_5dI2Ubxpe-wJOFRnZbWesgwAVzm_uIbxLho0pZOaHtm24okuTMexhjNIBmc5DUxBTZxka3qbMOY/pub Music credit: Sergey Cheremisinov - Black Swan