After learning of Lafayette’s huge influence on America, and then meeting him in person at Colonial Williamsburg, a question continued to nag in the back of my mind.
What happened to Lafayette during the violent French Revolution, which began a few years after he helped America secure liberty?
Soon after the successful siege on Yorktown, Lafayette returned to France and the peaceful country farmer existence he copied from his adopted father, George Washington.
Continually keeping in correspondence, they traded more than letters.
From Lafayette came a red partridge and two mares; from Washington came Virginia hams and ducks.
Lafayette envisions Independence Document for Paris
Moving his family to Paris, he hung America’s Declaration of Independence on the wall, while leaving room for a similar document he envisioned for France.
Lafayette hosts American Nights
Unceasingly talking to his friends about American liberty, Lafayette set aside Monday evenings in his home to host American Night.
Attended by both French and Americans (like Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin) discussion centered on America, with diversions to politics and the latest French news, such as the newest invention, the hot air balloon.
Lafayette visits George Washington at Mount Vernon – 1783
After America signed the peace treaty with Britain, Lafayette sailed to America to spend time with George Washington at Mount Vernon.
Enjoying the fried chicken so much, he sent Martha’s recipe to his wife.
Lafayette’s vision for reforms in France
While seeking constitutional monarchy for France, Lafayette argued that was the best of both worlds, preserving France’s history while freeing the serfs.
Under such a rule, the king would no longer be free to do as he wished.
Lafayette plans to free Slaves
Although there were no slaves in France, unfortunately France held slaves at far away plantations.
Hating slavery, Lafayette bought two plantations in the French Guiana to free slaves and provide them freedom and education.
Lafayette encourages beleaguered Protestants
Since France tolerated no religion outside of Catholicism, Lafayette reached out to Protestants who were not allowed to legally marry.
Explaining the American ideals of liberty, he encouraged Protestants with the need for France to become liberty loving.
Lafayette coins Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
Deeply passionate about liberty, making changes where he could, Lafayette coined a phrase that illustrated his vision: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.
This phrase took off like wildfire, oft repeated by the oppressed.
French Revolution Begins
Starving peasants in a bankrupt tyrannical nation broke into riots.
Calling an Assembly of Notables which included Lafayette, the king hoped to glean money from the wealthy Second Estate (comprised of aristocrats).
However, Lafayette, calling the meeting not ables, saw this as an opportunity to seek a new frame of government that would satisfy all sides: a constitutional monarchy.
Lafayette declared that elections should be held by even the common people (the Third Estate).
{{{crickets}}}
Bastille – July 14, 1789
As tensions grew, a mob surrounded a political prison called the Bastille.
Arriving on his white horse, Lafayette calmed the crowd, while allowing the prison to be burned.
Lafayette sent a sketch of the Bastille and one of the keys to George Washington with this note:
Give me leave, my dear general, to present you with a picture of the Bastille, just as it looked a few days after I ordered its demolition, with the main key of the fortress of despotism. It is a tribute which I owe as a son to my adoptive father-as an aide-de-camp to my general-as a missionary of liberty to its patriarch.
Lafayette leads National Guard to maintain peace
When a call was made to begin a National Guard, Lafayette was unanimously appointed to lead the charge.
Readily accepting the position, Lafayette planned to maintain peace instead of making war.
For three years as Lafayette pursued the plan of maintaining peace, the people hailed him as he rode by: Vive Lafayette!
Lafayette composes Declaration of Rights of Man with Thomas Jefferson – 1789
Enlisting the help of Thomas Jefferson, Lafayette composed his envisioned Declaration of the Rights of Man, which parallels the ideas of the Declaration of Independence.
Scorning his work, the queen called him a traitor to his class.
Meanwhile the mobs were done with their oppressors, the king and nobility.
Reign of Terror begins
At the assemblage of the frightful guillotine, some members of the aristocracy fled France.
Seizing power on August 10, 1792, many of the elite were arrested and prepared for execution.
Lafayette’s name was added to the execution list.
Lafayette flees France
Fleeing the France, Lafayette was captured in Belgium by the Austrian’s, who had been at war with France.
Stuck in an Austrian prison, the monarchs of France were beheaded with other members of the nobility.
Eventually Lafayette’s wife, Adrienne, was imprisoned in Paris along with her mother and sister.
Eventually freed in 1794, Adrienne she sent their son, George Washington Lafayette to stay with President Washington in America, while she and her daughters joined Lafayette in prison.
Despite the efforts of George Washington and Congress to free Lafayette and his family, it was Napoleon who eventually used his influence to free Lafayette.
For more details read the excellent Why Not, Lafayette? by Jean Fritz like we did in our homeschool studies.
