Carlie Kreutzer

Mr. Malone
AP European History
26 November 2019
French Revolution Diary Entries: Peasant

17 November 1788
Today I inquired about a job at the local textile mill. If I were to receive that job, I would

be spinning and weaving all sorts of materials. However, I am worried because the pay I will be

receiving is only a fraction of what I need to sustain my health and my children’s health. My

oldest daughter, Eva, is still only ten years old, so she is unable to find work that adds to the

income of the family. The two other children are learning to survive on small rations, which

saddens me every time I witness them eating a portion of food that is far smaller than it should

be. It is difficult to even obtain bread now. Ever since the recent drought in the summer, there

has been a bread shortage, causing the prices of bread have skyrocketed to where I am unable to

afford what I used to. I wonder when this will all end. When will I have the same amount of

rights as those higher in society? Will I, a single mother, have to raise my children in a place

where the simple things such as bread are too expensive? How will they learn the taste of foods

that I remember from my childhood? I heard some women in the textile building saying they

want to fight back against the government, but I am not sure how that would work. Are we

powerful enough to spark a change? I am just hoping I can have a steady income for my family.

15 May 1789

Uproars from other peasants who are in the same situation I am in have begun. They have

realized that France is in debt from assisting the Americans in their Revolution. I think we are
beginning our own revolution here in France. I do not know where the other peasants are

receiving this information from, but I can say that if it is correct, then I agree. I hear people

speaking of the Enlightenment, and how we should think using reason. I also agree with them,

and believe it is good to revolt against the government. After all, they are the ones who put us in

debt and are letting us live in these unfair conditions. I hope freedom for the peasants arrives

once again, for I need it to support my children.

30 June 1792

Equality is coming closer. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens was

adopted by us, the peasants. I am hopeful now that good will come out of this violent revolution.

I know the others in the peasant class are just as optimistic as I am and are pleased with the

outcome of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens. I have recently learned that king

Louis XVI lost his power and ran away to Paris, and that the nobles are abolished, and the

middle class took power. We are still in poverty though, as the price of bread and the taxes are

still increasing. Maximilien Robespierre killed all of King Louis XVI’s followers, and I believe

that was the right thing to do. However, he has now become very greedy with his power and he

is killing more people.

15 September 1792

This violence has been every increasing. I can only help but wonder what the future will

look like for my children. The other peasants have been referring to this as “The Reign of

Terror”. It seems to be that of anyone is against the ideals of the revolution, they are being killed.

However, I am hoping that this revolution we started has an influence on the future. I do not like

to witness the killings at the guillotines, but my friends and family watch them almost everyday
and inform me of what happens. They seem gruesome and violent, just like the rest of the

revolution.

23 August 1805

Napoleon Bonaparte is now the leader of the nation. I am conflicted on how to feel about

him and his rule. He has made known in several areas that he supports what the revolution stood

for, but in other aspects he goes against the ideals of the revolution. This is difficult for me to

understand. I am very much opposed to his ideas of censorship because it goes against the

critical ideals of the revolution such as liberty. However, the Civil Code is one thing that I think

is a huge advancement for the country. This Civil Code created equality for everyone, and it

removed the three-estates, something that us peasants had been fighting for since the beginning

of the revolution. Napoleon has also instituted mass conscription, which I realize is a good

military tactic, but it is also terrifying to think about, as you are unsure if your loved one will be

taken into the war effort.