Surprising Facts You Didn't Know About the French Revolution

Beginning in 1787, the French Revolution was one of the most important and significant periods in France that forever changed the country’s history. It was a time of major civil unrest and upheaval that sent the French upper classes toppling down, particularly the monarchy and much of the aristocrats and nobles. That much is already well-known, but there are a couple of interesting facts surrounding this era that just may surprise you. It’s a lot to unbuckle so sit back, relax and unwind and let’s dive into this article.\r \r 1. The First Zoo was Created in Paris as a Means Of Housing the Exotic Animals of the Aristocrats\r \r During the late 18th century, the King and Queen, along with thousands of nobles, had their life come to a gruesome end at the hands of the furious lower class. Their estates were quickly ransacked, leading to the unexpected discovery of exotic animals from all over the world. By 1793, these animals were brought to Paris, alive or as specimens, then put on display at the former herb garden, Jardin des Plantes which the public already had access to. And this was how the newly expanded garden became France’s first zoological garden.\r \r 2. Lacking Explosives, the Citizens of Paris Tore Down the Bastille by Hand\r \r The Bastille Saint-Antoine was one of France’s oldest fortresses that was used by the kings of France to imprison political enemies, debtors, husbands of mistresses, basically anyone they had a problem with. Though its use as a prison gradually decreased, but that didn’t stop people from creating inaccurate stories of torture and abysmal living conditions. As for how the Bastille came down? Hammers, picks, iron bars and bare hands were all that were needed and much of the fortress was already demolished by the time the explosive team showed up.\r \r 3. The Revolution Led to the Creation of a New Calendar, Including a 10-Day Week\r \r In the attempt to separate from the corrupt and overly powerful French Catholic Church, the Revolutionary government created its very own calendar in 1793 complete with a 10 day week, 10 hour days, hours of 100 minutes and 100 seconds per minute. The French Republican Calendar also began with Year One. The French people weren’t exactly thrilled by those changes and simply stuck with the old calendar. And it remained so for nearly 13 years before being abolished by Napoleon in 1805.\r \r 4. Public Executions Were Popular Attractions, with Programs Sold Listing the Day’s Victims\r \r From September 1973 to July 1794, the French Revolution was a time of pure entertainment, at least for those whose lives weren’t on the line. Citizens were required by law to denounce anyone that was suspected of being opposed to the acts of the Convention, or become enemies of the state. Most of the accused were simply executed and it was a public affair complete with tickets for the best seats, as well as food, drinks, souvenirs and even programs for the soon-to-be-executed.\r \r 5. The French Revolution Temporarily Ended Slavery in French Colonies\r \r France, like Britain, once held colonies in many regions all over the world including the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. By 1794, the Revolutionary government was forced to abolish slavery due to the ongoing slave rebellions in the islands, though the abolition was enforced in only Guyana, Guadeloupe and Saint Domingue, now Haiti. Though slavery would once again be restored throughout the French colonies due to Napoleon Bonaparte, that is until it was abolished for good in 1848.