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This thread will be moved to military history Feb 24 2009 T_S


We are learning about the French Revolution in English, and I thought it would make an interesting topic. One thing I found interesting about it is that the common device used to kill those against the revolution, the guillotine, was originally created to be a humane device. Before it was created people sentenced to death were tortured or suffered long and painful exocutions. The guillotine was created to give a short and merciful death. After the bloody revolution, however, it became a symbol for unjust punishment and chaotic times.

I think we should bring back the guillotine as a form of execution. Heinous crime would decrease and it'd be cheaper on the taxpayers verses using expensive chemicals. But that's a different topic.

I heart the Women's March if Versailles. I always felt that was an ultimate step in feminism. Not only did they stand up for themselves and their basic human rights--to eat exclaim since King Douche-bag wasn't doing anything about food shortages--they declared war and killed a bunch of guardsmen (though, poor guys were just doing their jobs) with cannons they assembled themselves. Talk about "I am woman, hear me roar", more like "I am woman, and I'm gonna f*** you up good!" I think this came about mainly because the National Assembly wasn't allowed to, well, assemble.

What I can't remember is if this is the time when all the women cut their hair off really, really short. I want to say it is, but so close to the Rococo period makes my gut say "hell, no, that ain't it!" Anyone got some insight on that?

I actually believe the short hair was one of those things started mostly by Coco Chanel , like pants on girls. On the decapitation note , I had read that its only like 17 to 20 seconds. And the march on Versailles , was too cool. That is why governments need to be wary of ticking off the underclass.
on another note there is actually a card game called Guillotine.
"Guillotine Card Game
This irreverent and humorous card game takes place during the French Revolution. Players represent rival guillotine operators vying for the best collection of noble heads over three rounds.Each round, twelve nobles are lined up for the guillotine. The nobles are worth varying points, depending on their notoriety. During your turn, you play action cards to change the order of the line so you can collect the best nobles. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins! Will you be skillful enough to bribe the guards and collect Marie Antoinette? Or will you lose points for beheading the hero of the People?" quote from the back of the game. Its actually really fun.

No, I don't mean for fashion, but as a rebellious movement, It was talked about in a lecture from an art survey class but I can't find the notes. It was short lived. Women would cut their hair off real short and choppy, like with a knife, something you don't sport to look pretty in. This was before photography. I may have to track down my old professor if he's still around (this was a three year old lecture sweatdrop )
About the beheading thing, there's argument over it being 13 to 20 seconds of consciousness after beheading. It all depends on how long it takes for the oxygen to leave the brain, and that can change from person to person.

Thanks for the correction on the length of time. I was hearing this at 7:30 in the mourning, still half asleep. That game actually does sound fun in a cynical type of way, I will have to keep my eyes open for it. As for the chopping the hair off, I've never heard of it like that but it makes sense. Tell me if you find out when. heart

... the people also charged Marie Antoinette of incest with her son though... it was false, of course...

sweatdrop

you guys can tell who's been paying attention in world history, right?