What is France's greatest contribution to the world? I think many historians would recommend the French Revolution first!
Although this revolution was full of blood, violence, and chaos... it is undeniable that it was this revolution that opened the curtain on the mortal world.
Almost all the political rights that we modern people have come from that revolution, because it was in that revolution that the concept of natural human rights was proposed.
Before that, there was no concept of equality for everyone in the human world, and hierarchical differentiation was not even oppression, but became common sense in life.
At that time, the people at the bottom were ruled by the nobles. In fact, they had no resistance at all. Instead, they believed that it was a matter of course, and they were even accustomed to working for the nobles.
People in the 21st century cannot understand the cognition of mankind at that time. They think their ancestors were so ignorant! But in that era where theocracy and feudalism had weighed heavily for thousands of years, what choice could mortals make?
It was not until the Great Revolution that the French took the lead in giving natural people humanity and the right to exist. They finally loosened the shackles on mortals. All theocratic and feudal nobles trembled in that revolution.
Although revolutions have come and gone, the spirit remains immortal, which has become the source of pride for the French!
The war song of the Revolution was sung. This was a war song that all feudal nobles and churches feared. When the Marseillaise was sung in the streets of Paris, it proved that the French nationalist wave was approaching its peak.
The secret police outside the tavern made the right choice. Fortunately, they did not choose to suppress or arrest, because in just one night, they discovered that this song started to be sung throughout the city.
Millions of people sang this revolutionary war hymn, and singing was everywhere in the streets, alleys, and in all pubs, cafes and other social occasions!
Who to arrest? How to catch it? Who dares to arrest!
All police stations in Paris issued an emergency order, strictly requiring all police officers not to resist this wave. At this time, no matter whether songs are banned or not, the first priority is to ensure that there is no conflict!
The police retreated, the army retreated, and even the police and soldiers themselves were singing this war song!
The French chariot has been completely emptied by nationalism, and there is no longer any sense at all!
"War! War! Motherland attacks!"
"Victory! We need victory! Let the whole of Europe tremble under our iron cavalry!"
"Our artillery shells pierce the sky, our soldiers sweep across the horizon, and our swords will be inserted into the soil of Berlin again!"
"Break the Brandenburg Gate! Steal the Lady of Victory! Let her become a trophy of the Louvre!"
The crowd went absolutely crazy, cheering, drinking, singing and dancing in the streets! There were even women who were so excited that they took off their shirts to reveal their naked upper bodies, and flew into the air as countless men tossed them around.
"Where is this still a war? This is simply a carnival!"
The American Minister Washburn looked at the naked dancer who was singing and dancing drunkenly on the table. He shook his head helplessly. He turned back and said to the military attache.
"Information to all Americans in Paris, especially our international students, not to go out on the streets during this period, and do not get involved in the French people's nonsense!"
"Let them pay attention to the embassy's notifications at all times. If there are any changes, let them evacuate immediately... If they really can't leave, they must also gather at the embassy!"
The military attaché was shocked, "Sir...do you have any new information?"
The minister shook his head, "Our American presence in Europe is too low. What information can we have... I am just making some judgments based on common sense!"
"Did you know that the Chinese have an interesting proverb? It's called 'A dog that bites doesn't bark!' It makes sense now that I think about it..."
"France is barking like a mad dog from top to bottom, but look at those people in the north. Until now, they haven't even said a harsh word. Their people are just waiting in silence!"
"What are they waiting for? It makes people shudder just thinking about it!"
The minister could only speak to this extent. He couldn't tell the military attache that he had received a personal letter from the United States.
The minister had a good personal relationship with the Carnegie family, and just after demonstrations and conflicts involving 200,000 people broke out in France, a friend in China who was worried about him sent him a private letter.
In this letter, his old friend implicitly told him to be careful about this war and not to be too optimistic!
A quarter of the Carnegie family's business is currently in Asia. They have close ties with the Chinese business community. Did the family secretly get some information?
Washburn didn't dare to think too much, didn't dare to ask questions, and didn't dare to leak the news. He could only start to remind Americans in France in his own way.
At this time, the United States was not a mainstream country in the world at all. Their economic, cultural, and technological strength were far weaker than those of the European continent. Therefore, there were many American students in Paris, France at this time.
In a private reminder from the embassy, these American students can temporarily return to their home country if conditions permit, and if conditions are not met, they can also start renting houses in the French countryside.
As for those whose economic conditions were worse and unable to leave Paris, they began to gather at the embassy, rented houses in the surrounding areas to live together, and began to purchase large amounts of food.
All this was going on quietly, and the fanatical French people couldn't see these changes at all. They didn't even notice that there were fewer and fewer British guests in all the aristocratic banquets during this period.
Affected by the manic mood, none of them discovered that many countries had actually begun to secretly evacuate their citizens, especially those with privileged aristocrats.
Time passed like this, and France's tough stance remained firm, while Prussia never gave up its diplomatic efforts.
Britain, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Portugal... almost all countries sent special commissioners to mediate this conflict.
Among them, British Gladstone even asked the commissioner to send a personal letter to the French Emperor. The letter proposed straightforwardly, "Your Majesty, I think both of you should take a step back and let the situation ease..."
"Prussia should respect France's demands, but France should also give time for negotiations. It would be better to revoke your ultimatum..."
This statement has been made very clear. All European countries have expressed their stance, "You, the French Emperor, have revoked the ultimatum first. Don't force Prussia to express its stance on France's Bastille Day. You must also save some face for Prussia!" '
'What's more, negotiations between countries can't be reached in a month or two. It's really against diplomatic practice for you to press so hard! '
'As long as you can take a step back, everything is negotiable! '
But can the King of France retreat? Listening to Marseillaise all over the city, does he dare to retreat?
