Look at the fall of the Bastille in 1789.
The Bastille was King Louis XVI's prison for aristocrats. When the King refused to give the people representative government, 5,000 to 8,000 people looted an armory and marched on the Bastille.
They overwhelmed the prison, found 7 prisoners inside--4 forgers, 2 madmen, and an Irish lord who had been incarcerated 30 years for debts--and freed them. A vulgar mob released 7 inconsequential prisoners -- hardly earth shattering.
The King's diary entry for the day the Bastille fell was, "Nothing." As he learned, it was far from Nothing.
5 comments:
So your thesis would suggest people didn't notice Pearl Harbor or 9/11? Preposterous!
There is more than one lesson learned from the storming of the Bastille.
http://www.financialsense.com/editorials/loeffler/2008/0718.html
Yes. The French have no taste in prisons
Hi James, I appreciate a lot of your posts, and even agree with the thesis of your post, but I have to agree that the arguments you present are indeed "preposterous."
To begin with, the first Christmas was hagiographic, not historical. How can you possibly pass this off as a serious argument that participants in history cannot recognize it as such until after the fact when the event you provide is in question?
The storming of the Bastille was not significant because of the actual event, but because of the democratic symbolism the event later evoked. The event itself did not shape history, it was the interpretation of the event afterwards (much as the Christ birth narrative).
There are many events that do directly influence history as a result of their outcome, such as a coup or accepted military victory. The eventual historical consequences might not be immediately recognizable, but their immediate consequences are certainly felt by most any populace involved.
Again, despite my arguments I actually agree with your original premise, but please consider a little more carefully the examples you use to demonstrate a point.
Cheers,
Mark
PS As critical as I may be I am still a fan -- you just happened to cross a historical philosopher!!!
Mark,
Fair enough -- Christmas was a poor choice. I think, however, you expressed my point better than I. What I was driving at is that most events are not significant because of the actual event, but because of the symbolism the event later evoked. So, I bow in your direction!
james
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