The Siècle History Podcast

The July Revolution may be done, but France isn't sure if it's done with revolution. As King Louis-Philippe and a band of squabbling politicians try to govern France, the people of Paris take to the streets to demand one thing above all else: the heads of Charles X's former ministers. Will Jules de Polignac and company meet their end at a guillotine — or at the hands of a lynch mob? See a full annotated transcript of this episode: http://thesiecle.com/episode49/ Check out the "La Fayette, We Are Here" podcast by Emmanuel Dubois: https://www.lafayettepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

French prime minister Jules de Polignac believed he was receiving visions of the Virgin Mary during France's 1830 July Revolution — or so many sources claim. But is it true? Join me as we sort fact from fiction, and see how these claims tie into the religious history of 19th Century France. Support independent historical research like this podcast on Patreon: https://patreon.com/thesiecle See a full annotated transcript of this episode: http://thesiecle.com/factcheck3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revolutions podcaster Mike Duncan talks about the July Revolution, why Charles X is one of the great idiots of history, the dissident elites who can make or break any revolution, and the value of narrative history podcasting. Help support The Siècle by backing the show on Patreon, where all supporters receive an ad-free feed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

King Charles X just wants to spend some time at his vacation house playing cards, hunting, and hanging out with his family. But it's late July 1830, and people keep interrupting him to talk about some alleged revolution in Paris. My apologies for the number of different ways I managed to pronounce "Neuilly" in this episode. Find out how to support the podcast and get an ad-free feed at thesiecle.com/support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While men fight and die on the streets of Paris, France's feckless politicians try to muster the will to take decisive action of their own to address a revolution no one on either side expected. A quick refresher on important dates so far: August 8, 1829: The Polignac ministry is appointed Early July, 1830: Marshal Bourmont captures Algiers; opposition candidates win French elections Sunday, July 25, 1830: King Charles X and his ministers approve the Four Ordinances Monday, July 26, 1830: The Four Ordinances are published in the Moniteur. Journalists draft the Protest of the Forty-Four. Initial protests. A mob attacks Polignac's carriage. Tuesday, July 27, 1830: Four newspapers publish in defiance of the Four Ordinances. Protests grow into riots. Marshal Marmont assumes command of Paris. Soldiers open fire on civilians. Initial barricades go up. Wednesday, July 28, 1830: Marmont is given dictatorial control of Paris, and sends out his three attack columns. Deputies meet with Marmont. By the end of the night, Marmont's columns all retreat. Visit thesiecle.com/support to buy merch or to support the show on Patreon. All Patreon subscribers receive an ad-free feed of the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three French history podcasters come together to determine the most corrupt, idealistic, eloquent and idiotic figures — among others — from the Revolutionary, Napoleonic and post-Napoleonic eras. (Update: The original version of this file cuts out after 48 minutes. Re-download for a fixed version.) Check out Age of Napoleon and Grey History: The French Revolution! Submit your comments on this episode via Will Clark's link here. View a full annotated transcript here, and find out how to support the show and receive an ad-free fee here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charles X's Four Ordinances in July 1830 threatened to impose strict censorship on France's opposition newspapers. So what were the journalists going to do about it? Visit thesiecle.com/support to find out how to support the show. Read a full annotated transcript of this episode at thesiecle.com/episode40. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been five years since The Siècle first debuted! To mark the show's fifth anniversary, I'm joined by fellow history podcaster Everett Rummage of The Age of Napoleon podcast to answer listener questions and talk about history, podcasting, and more. Check out the show's new YouTube channel, where I'm gradually uploading audio of back episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1830, France's slow-moving political crisis builds to a fever-pitch, as King Charles X goes to war with his liberal opposition at home, and the Regency of Algiers abroad. Amid military and electoral campaigns, Charles X will face a decision that could reshape his reign. The Siècle's 5th anniversary is coming up on January 22, 2024. I'm hosting a special Q&A episode (with a guest moderator you might know!) and want your questions! Please email david (at) thesiecle (dot) com by January 13, 2024, with any questions you want considered for inclusion in that episode — about the show, about 19th Century France, or even about me. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1816, the French frigate Medusa ran aground off the coast of Africa, leading to one of the most infamous naval disasters in world history. In the process, it will shine a light on the harsh realities of Bourbon Restoration politics and France's tiny colonial empire. View thesiecle.com/episode36 for a full annotated transcript, including maps and images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

France's economy in 1830 stunk. But what does that even mean for an agricultural, pre-modern economy? And how did this bad economy impact France's controversial prime minister Jules de Polignac? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During the Bourbon Restoration, one man's songs were everywhere. He wrote about politics and about love, for the rich and for the poor, and persevered despite the best efforts of the government to shut him up. Meet the Bob Dylan of the Restoration: Pierre-Jean de Béranger — including audio clips! This episode is an interview with Prof. Sophie-Anne Leterrier, author of Béranger: des Chansons pour un Peuple Citoyen. Note that Prof. Leterrier is not a native English speaker. As always with The Siècle, you can check out an annotated transcript online at http://thesiecle.com/supplemental17. My thanks to my Patreon supporters, whose backing enabled me to license recordings for this song and pay to have the interview transcribed. You can join them for as little as $1 per month at patreon.com/thesiecle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices