Episode 3 - "Friend or Foe of Liberty Part 1"

Authors

Matthew Alverson
Chloe Curbelo
Shamari Hemingway
Carey Phifer

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 2024

Abstract

Main Question(s):

How Does Lafayette’s Ideology conflict with his actions in the French Revolution?

Episode Description:

Lafayette returns to France, but can he balance his revolutionary ideals with the realities of a crumbling monarchy? In this episode, we dive into the early days of the French Revolution, exploring Lafayette’s role as a liberal leader, a mediator, and ultimately, a controversial figure.

We break down the growing tensions in France—the economic crisis, the Estates General, and the storming of the Bastille—before turning to Lafayette’s leadership of the National Guard and his attempts to maintain order amid chaos. But was he truly a champion of liberty, or was he too caught between the monarchy and the revolutionaries to take a definitive stand?

Recommended Citation

Alverson, Matthew; Curbelo, Chloe; Hemingway, Shamari; and Phifer, Carey, "Episode 3 - "Friend or Foe of Liberty Part 1"" (2024). Who Cares about The Marquis de Lafayette?. 6.
https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/lafayette-podcast/6