Georges Lefebvre > Quotes

“The Constituent Assembly enjoyed a prestige accorded none of its successors, but the populace observed only such decrees as suited it. What did the people want above all else? Tax reform, abolition of indirect levies, institution of controls over the grain trade. Tax collection was suspended; the salt tax, excises, and municipal tolls were suppressed; exchange of grains was either forbidden or continually thwarted. Proclamations and decrees against this had no effect. [...] In their eyes national sovereignty entailed direct democracy, an idea that would remain dear to the sans-culottes.”
― Georges Lefebvre, The French Revolution: Volume I From its Origins to 1793

“[D]iplomats and military men considered Italy nothing more than a geographical name.”
― Georges Lefebvre, The French Revolution: Volume I From its Origins to 1793

“In any case the mind of the Third Estate is of capital interest in showing the historian that events have their immediate roots not in their antecedents but in the men who intervene by interpreting those events.”
― Georges Lefebvre, The French Revolution: Volume I From its Origins to 1793

“A few writers by implication touched upon the true social issue, that equality of rights was an illusion to those lacking the means to use it.”
― Georges Lefebvre, The French Revolution: Volume I From its Origins to 1793

“While they (Thermidorians) were reproaching the Montangnards for having founded a dictatorship by suspending elections, they re-established elections, but were careful to make certain that they are 'rigged'. They came close to arriving at co-optation pure and simple. If they failed in future elections, they would maintain themselves through coups d'état that would restore dictatorship.”
― Georges Lefebvre, The French Revolution: Volume II, From 1793 to 1799