L’ORIGINE probable DU DRAPEAU FRANÇAIS (vous n’allez pas aimer)

Summary

This video delves into the history behind the French tricolor flag, focusing on the 1790 mutiny of sailors in Brest and their demand for a new national flag. The speaker explores how the Saint-Domingue colonists' flag, with its tricolor horizontal bands, might have influenced the eventual design of the French flag. The script weaves together historical events, debates in the National Assembly, and the symbolic power of flags, while reflecting on the role of historians in uncovering the complexities of revolutionary narratives and the political battles surrounding national symbols.

Takeaways

• 😀 The French tricolor flag has a complex history, influenced by both revolutionary fervor and colonial politics, particularly in Brest in 1790.
• 😀 The sailors' revolt in Brest in 1790 led to a push for a new national flag that symbolized the Revolution, with the tricolor design being debated in the National Assembly.
• 😀 The debate over the tricolor flag was polarized: some saw it as a symbol of the Revolution, while others feared it was too costly or too similar to the Dutch flag.
• 😀 The design of the French tricolor flag was influenced by the Dutch flag (Statenvlag), which had horizontal red, white, and blue stripes, though with some modifications.
• 😀 The sailors in Brest, who had been influenced by the colonial flag brought by Saint-Domingue colonists, demanded a flag with horizontal, equally sized tricolored stripes.
• 😀 A decree on October 24, 1790, officially adopted the tricolor flag with vertical stripes for French warships, distinguishing it from the Dutch design.
• 😀 The flag's adoption was a response to both internal pressures from the revolutionaries and external pressures from the colonial revolt in the Caribbean.
• 😀 The first official French tricolor flag was not the final design; it evolved further in 1794, where the white was removed from the flag, and blue was placed on the left side.
• 😀 The role of the colonists from Saint-Domingue in the formation of the flag's design is speculative, but their arrival in France in 1790 and the symbolism of their flag may have played a significant role.
• 😀 The political tension surrounding the colonial question, including debates about slavery and citizenship, also influenced the design of the flag and the direction of the Revolution.
• 😀 The video highlights the importance of historical research in understanding symbols like the tricolor flag and cautions against the distortion of history for political purposes.

Q & A

What was the role of the mutiny in Brest in the context of the French Revolution?

The mutiny in Brest, led by sailors protesting against poor conditions and royal authority, played a crucial role in the French Revolution. It symbolized the growing revolutionary sentiments among the working class, especially in the French navy, which was pivotal in the eventual adoption of the first tricolor flag for the French navy.

How did the sailors' demands influence the political decisions in the National Assembly?

The sailors' demands for a new flag to represent the Revolution were recognized by the National Assembly. On October 19, 1790, the Assembly promised to adopt a new tricolor flag for the French navy, contingent upon restoring calm in Brest. This marked a shift towards national unity, symbolized by the flag.

Why did the National Assembly focus on a flag with 'equal horizontal stripes' during debates in October 1790?

The National Assembly focused on a flag with 'equal horizontal stripes' because it symbolized a direct break from the royalist white flag and was proposed as a compromise between various factions. The sailors' support for a flag similar to the Dutch Statenvlag (red, white, and blue horizontal stripes) led to its adoption as a symbol of revolutionary solidarity.

What was the significance of the Dutch tricolor flag in the debate about the French navy's flag?

The Dutch tricolor flag was referenced during the debates as a potential model for the new French flag. Its design, with three equal horizontal stripes, was seen as a symbol of liberty, which resonated with the Revolution's ideals. The flag's similarity to the Dutch national flag led to discussions on its adoption as a symbol of France's break from monarchy.

What role did the colonists from Saint-Domingue play in the development of the French flag?

The colonists from Saint-Domingue, particularly those involved in the protests in Brest, brought a flag with horizontal tricolor stripes to France. This flag, likely similar to the Dutch model, became a symbol of their revolutionary stance against the French monarchy. It is suggested that their flag influenced the design of the official French tricolor flag, adopted in October 1790.

Why did the French Revolutionaries initially resist the adoption of a tricolor flag with equal stripes?

Some revolutionaries, such as Mirabeau, resisted the adoption of a tricolor flag with equal stripes because it resembled the Dutch flag too closely. They feared that adopting such a flag would make France appear overly influenced by foreign symbols, particularly those of a nation not directly aligned with revolutionary goals.

What does the term 'Microcosmes' refer to in the context of this script?

'Microcosmes' refers to a graphic novel or comic book project mentioned by the speaker. It features extensive research and exploration into historical details, including the development of the French tricolor flag. The speaker emphasizes how small historical nuances can shape larger national symbols, like the flag.

What is the significance of the artist's representation of ships in the 'Insurrection dans le port de Brest' engraving?

The engraving depicting two ships, 'Le Léopard' and 'L'America', shows them flying tricolor flags, which is historically inaccurate for 1790, as the tricolor flag had not yet been officially adopted. However, this anachronistic representation suggests that the influence of the sailors’ flag ideas might have already been felt in Brest, foreshadowing the adoption of the tricolor flag.

How did the tricolor flag evolve after October 1790?

After October 1790, the tricolor flag was officially adopted for French naval vessels, initially with horizontal stripes. However, by 1794, the flag's design evolved into the familiar 'blue-white-red' arrangement with vertical stripes, symbolizing the Revolution's progress and the eventual stabilization of revolutionary ideals.

What does the speaker's final hypothesis suggest about the connection between the flag of the Saint-Domingue colonists and the French tricolor?

The speaker's final hypothesis suggests that the flag of the Saint-Domingue colonists, with its horizontal tricolor stripes, may have directly inspired the design of the French tricolor flag. The colonists, who were seeking to present themselves as revolutionary patriots, used a flag resembling the Dutch tricolor, which likely influenced the subsequent adoption of a similar design in France.