Imagine that you are writing a study of Paris during the Terror. In the form of a short essay, consider the following three questions.

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1 What kind of primary source is this and what strengths and weaknesses does it have as a source for your study.

2 Are there any particular words and phrases in the document that require elucidation or special comment before you can make use of it.

3 What can you learn from this source with respect to Paris during the Terror? You should distinguish, where appropriate, between witting and unwitting testimony.

The reign of terror Paris April 1793 – July 1794 (dates supplied by Encarta; French Revolution) the primary source being examined is part of a speech made by Jacques Roux to the French Convention on 25th June 1793 (Open University A103 assignment). This is a source of primary evidence relating to the French revolution, in particular to the events covering the beginnings of the Reign of Terror.

Looking at this piece of evidence its strengths are that it is a document of record, a speech made to an official assembly, recorded and reported on. Also being in Paris at this time Roux may have been in an excellent position to comment upon the problems faced by the people at ground level, or at least within his own circle of influence. Roux would therefore be aware of the people’s views towards the revolution, Convention and the liberty they believed in and fought for. Points raised in his speech suggest this liberty had not been achieved when he mentions that liberty was a vain phantom (Jacques Roux, Scripta et Acta). Roux also wittingly portrays concern for the welfare of the common people, the Sans-Culottes, small shopkeepers, artisans and wage earners. While his speech is not stating demands for his own promotion or that of his radical group, but for the people in general while asking hard questions of the Convention. However Roux wittingly chastises then applauds the actions of the Convention yet assuring the Convention he is not against them, he calls for them to help the sans-culottes by pointing out to the benefits of doing this, suggesting it would bind the people to the revolution and strengthen the power of the Convention. Roux is therefore giving the authorities the means to consolidate their position with the people’s support. Further examination may be required such as asking did this speech have any influence during the reign of terror? To find answers to this question other primary sources would need investigating, things such as records from the French Convention, private records such as personal documents and diaries showing the thoughts and views of those hearing this speech commenting upon any influence it may have made.

An area of weakness in using this document as evidence as a primary source, is that it is produced by an extremist group ‘the Enragés’, and can therefore not be considered the views of all the peoples of Paris and defiantly not the views of the rest of France, although speculation might suggest that the topics covered such as food shortages would be something on the minds of everyday French men and women. Another weakness is that the Conventions record of the event has been made by a Government unwilling to accept any criticism.

Also our document contains only extracts, ...

This is a preview of the whole essay

Also our document contains only extracts, while the original has been translated into English from French therefore we are reliant upon the skills of the translator to accurately convert the French into English without losing some of the subtle meanings and subtext found only in the original language.

There are also areas of the text that need special comment, such as ‘Delegates of the French people’ (Roux 1793). This presumes those being addressed are representatives of the people. However we would require evidence that these delegates were in fact elected officials and not self-appointed. Parish or regional records of the time could confirm appointments by the people to the Convention. While the phrase Constitutional Act is presented to the Sovereign; the sovereign is no longer the King what had by now been executed, therefore implying the sovereign people. The phrase sovereign people, gives the common man importance suggesting they can govern themselves without a monarch.

Roux’s speech also contains unwitting testimony he unknowingly points out that the reign of terror has actually been taking place for a while, perhaps even outside the official dates suggested. Statements such as ‘you have not hesitated to strike dead those that propose a King’ and ‘You have outlawed the counter revolutionaries who reddened the scaffold with the blood of patriots’ (Roux 1793). Confirming that executions have been taking place of Monarchists and radicals.

When Roux recommends to the Convention to bind the people to the revolution. As previously mentioned, he is encouraging the Convention to strengthen their position. This would imply that their position may not be as secure as they believe. Roux states basically that by feeding the sans culottes, this will encourage them to rejoin in the revolution, but indicating the people are no longer consider it a revolution of the people but a revolution of the Convention, and are perhaps looking for further radical ways of getting what they want.

Roux almost threatens a Counter Revolution but not directly. By telling the Convention to outlaw the speculation and hoarders the people will know you are on their side and will not require a counter revolution. Therefore the public or at least those Roux associates with must be discussing the thoughts of a revolution against the Convention. This statement unwittingly seals Roux’s fate as the Convention are outraged and later arrest Roux, although they later adopt his idea regarding punishment for hoarding. (Introduction to Humanities)

Bibliography

Encarta French Revolution (http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761557826_2/French_Revolution.html#s7) accessed 28/04/05

The Open University A103 TMA’s supplementary material Level 1

TMA04 - History Extract of speech made by Jacques Roux before the French Convention on 25 June 1793. page 13 and 14

Roux 1793

Jacques Roux, Scripta et Acta. Textes presentés par Walter Markov. Akademie-Verlag, Berlin, 1969 OU A103 introduction to the Humanities Assignment Book TMA4 page 14