women in french revolution essays

women in french revolution essays Most people think that women have nothing to do with the revolution. Especially women in France, they were fated to play domestic role in the family rather than political. Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a philosopher who agreed that the ideal woman of the revolution was a housekeeper. Were women really that useless? Women absolutely were not made to marry, keep house, and raise children. They could do anything no different from men. During the French Revolution, women participated and played important roles in many ways. Queen Marie Antoinette was behind many political situations during the French Revolution. She was a daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Francis I and Austrian Empress Maria Theresa. She was arranged to married to the dauphin of France, who later became King Louis XVI, at the age of fifteen. Her marriage had been made to strengthen an alliance between France and Austrian. The French did not agree with that, they hated the queen for her Austrian blood. They felt not safe under the monarchy of Austrian queen. Marie Antoinette was one of the causes of the revolution. People get upset knowing that Marie was living her luxurious life with a large number of men. She was not doing her job but looking for fun at the gambling table with her adulterer, Count Axel Fersen. She convinced King Louis XVI to ignore the financial problems and spend all the money on her. The French blamed Marie for the shortage of bread and this was the first sign of the revolution. Marie strongly opposed the revolution by asking for help from her brother, Joseph II of Austria. France declared war on Austria in 1792 because Austria wanted France to recall the old regime society of noble and clergy estates. French troops were conquered although they were much more stronger then Austrian troops. People felt Marie Antoinette was the reason that French troops were defeated unbelievably easily. Marie wanted the King to continue his absolute power in France. She be...

The National Museum of Colombia

The National Museum of Colombia The National Museum of Colombia: Colombias National Museum (Museo Nacional) is located in the heart of Bogota. Its a sprawling, three-story structure dedicated to Columbias art and history. Although there are some very interesting exhibits, all in all its a little dry. Visiting the National Museum: Colombia’s National Museum is about 10 blocks away from Plaza Bolivar (the heart of old Bogota) on Carrera 7 between calle 28 and calle 29. It’s possible to walk from one to the other, or there are buses on a regular basis. The museum is a massive yellowish brick building that was once a prison: night watchmen swear it’s haunted. It’s open daily except Mondays. Hours are 10-6, 10-5 on Sundays. Adult admission is less than $2 US and is free on Sundays. Whats in the Museum?: Colombia’s National Museum is dedicated to history and art and covers everything from the earliest inhabitants of Colombia to the present. On the lowest floor are rooms filled with ancient pottery and golden ornaments and figurines from long-gone cultures. The museum has sections on the conquest, the colonial era, independence and the republican era. The top floor is dedicated to the modern era, but it’s mostly art and very little history. There is a small gift shop and coffee shop on the first floor. Highlights of the National Museum: The museum is divided into different sections, some of which are more interesting than others. On the first floor is a vault-like room with golden ornaments and figurines from Colombias ancient cultures: its interesting if you havent already gone to the much more impressive gold museum a few blocks away. The archaeology sections are kind of cool, and the independence section is worth a stop, particularly to see the many faces of Simà ³n Bolà ­var exhibit. The colonial era part is best if youre a fan of art from that time. On the top floor are some paintings by Botero and other well-known modern Colombian artists. Lowlights of the National Museum: Parts of the museum are a little stale. The republican era (1830-1900 or so) section is an endless series of stony-faced portraits of former presidents. Surprisingly, some of the most interesting parts of Colombias history, such as the 1000 Days War or the 1928 Banana Massacre, are barely mentioned (and dont rate their own exhibit). There is a room on the 1948 Bogotazo riot, but somehow they have made a day of mayhem and destruction seem boring. There is nothing on the tragic period known as La Violencia, nothing on Pablo Escobar and nothing about the FARC and other modern troubles. Who would like Colombias National Museum?: The museum is best for history or art buffs. Colombias National Museum is a traditional one, in that very few of the displays or exhibits are in any way interactive. Kids may be bored stiff. History fans can skip the third floor entirely, and art fans can go directly from the pottery of the ancient era to see the angels and saints in the colonial section before heading to the top floor to see the Boteros. There are better museums in Bogota: Art lovers should first go to the Botero Museum, and history buffs should check out the July 20 Independence Museum. Non-Spanish speakers will struggle, as few of the exhibits have English translation (and nothing in German, French, etc). Supposedly, English-speaking guides are available on Wednesdays.