While preparing lessons for the various revolutions in Europe in 1830, I stumbled on another conversation hosted by Thomas Jefferson, this time with the Marquis de Lafayette.
Thomas Jefferson and Lafayette 1824
At Colonial Williamsburg we’ve met Thomas Jefferson, portrayed by Bill Barker, and we’ve met Mark Schneider who portrays Lafayette.
These are the same actors for this taped Conversation by Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson’s retreat in Lynchburg.
While Colonial Williamsburg tells the Lafayette 1781 story, this program features Lafayette after his 1824 Grand Tour of America.
That means the new topics included the Declaration of the Rights of Man, the French Revolution, and his Grand Tour.
When I told the kids the next morning, they fussed that I had already previewed the tape without them.
Of course, we watched the tape together that afternoon.
France’s post-Napoleon History
Despite Lafayette’s efforts, France never achieved the type of freedom America had.
After Napoleon’s exile, the Congress of Vienna put Louis XVIII on the throne. He was a moderate who gave up.
His brother Charles X took over and was an absolute monarch.
Everything the Republic of France fought, lost.
Eventually, Lafayette supported the July Revolution of 1830 which overthew Charles X.
Respected by the people of France, Lafayette could have become president.
Remembering the Reign of Terror, Lafayette supported a limited monarchy and helped put Louis Philippe, the Duke of Orleans, on the throne.
Phillippe, called the people’s king, because he was to rule in favor of the people, became controlling.
Striving, theme of the Romantic Era
When one of the students on the tape asked Lafayette about these things, he said France has always strived for independence.
My daughter, a high schooler, has been studying the Romantic Era in the early 19th century.
Striving was a theme in Romantic works.
Goethe’s Faust portrays Faust as always striving to achieve good.
Les Miserables portrays Jean Valjean as always striving to become a better person.
Striving accurately reflects French history.
Lafayette Critics
On-line activities presented quotes of what critics have said of Lafayette which angered my kids! They rebutted each critic.
Interestingly, I felt that the critics did more to praise the integrity of Lafayette than discredit him.
Lafayette Ship Reconstruction
The Poplar Forest website shared that a ship Lafayette sailed, L’Hermione, is being recreated in France, using 18th century building methods.
