Graphic Analysis - Flight to Varennes

by Lisa Hayman

Introduction · Opening Occasion · Abstraction · Second Reflection · Universal · Conclusion

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Introduction

The French Revolution is a complicated mix of major and minor events, of public and private situations, of famous and little-known places. It can be understood with the help of powerful slogans and declarations, of countless contemporary articles, stories and recollections, ideas and interpretations, but also with the help of thousands of images produced at the time.This link will provide you with more specific information on the place of images in the history of the Revolution.

Section B of the exam requires you to analyse a graphic or document and identify the significance of the graphic or document to the Revolution.This activity is designed to support you in developing the skills necessary to complete this section well.

The Opening Occasion

The Flight to Varennes and its Consequences

Although the King reluctantly accepted the new constitution (1791), he could not accept all the reforms, particularly those which hurt the Church. For this religious man, the Civil Constitution of the Clergy was the last straw. He decided to leave the country.
On June 20, 1791, the King and his family set out for the border in a carriage. The King was disguised as a steward and his son was wearing a dress. At the border village of Varennes, he was recognized and eventually apprehended. Word of his attempted flight spread quickly. Crowds lined the street to jeer at him when he was returned to Paris. The King remarked, "There is no longer a King in France." historywiz

When did the Flight to Varennes occur? (date/month/year)

List key events that took place prior and after the Flight.

What were the consequences of the attempted Flight to Varennes?

Refer to the following texts for additional support:

Matthews, A. (2001) Revolution and Reaction p. 46
Rees & Townson (2001) France in Revolution p. 50 - 51

Highlighting the Abstraction

What information can be gleaned from the caption of this graphic?
Identify the key images that can be seen in the graphic - who or what do they represent? why is this important?

"Return from Varennes, Arrival of Louis Capet in Paris"

Following his arrest, Louis and his family are returned to Paris. Large, silent crowds looked on disapprovingly.

The Second Reflection

Consider how the Flight of Varennes was viewed by the Parisians. What evidence do you have to support this?

"The failure of the escape proved a major turning point. To radicals it proved that the King could not be trusted and that the revolution would enjoy no stability while he was on the throne. For the first time the idea of a republic began to gather some popular support." (Matthews, 2001. p. 47)

"Louis Rides a Pig"

Equestrian skills were expected of a monarch. But portraying the King mounted on a pig was most unflattering. Linking royalty to animals was a theme that emerged after the flight to Varennes.

Finding a Universal Truth

Explain the significance of the Flight to Varennes to the French Revolution.

Conclusion

As years pass the way in which historical events are portrayed by Historians will change. The term Historiography can be defined as:

Main Entry: his·to·ri·og·ra·phy
Pronunciation: -fE
Function: noun
1 a : the writing of history; especially : the writing of history based on the critical examination of sources, the selection of particulars from the authentic materials, and the synthesis of particulars into a narrative that will stand the test of critical methods b : the principles, theory, and history of historical writing <a course in historiography>

The following links touch on the different interpretations of the French Revolution. For the detail that is required you should refer to:

Rees & Townson France in Revolution p. 142

Social Interpretation of the French Revolution - Cobban

Interpreting the French Revolution - Furet

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