February 16th, 2017

The French Revolution lasted over a decade, and aimed to better social and political conditions not only for France, but all of humanity. The event inspired the phrase 'Liberté, égalité, fraternité' (Liberty, equality, brotherhood) which would go on to become the National Motto of France. Indeed, the revolution largely met this aim: among other outcomes, the government was secularized and democratized, ethnic and religious minorities had their rights bolstered, and homosexuality was decriminalized. These policies went on to be echoed by other European powers. Yet, somewhat contrary to its central dogma, women saw almost no change in status. Despite the pivotal Women's March on Versailles in 1789, and their participation in all major protests, they entered and exited the revolution with almost no rights in French society. Many of the prominent feminist figures who emerged during the revolution were punished, and in some cases executed. The feminist movement was effectively muzzled, and women's suffrage was only introduced in France at the end of the 2nd World War, in 1944.

-E