Politics and Culture in French Revolutionary Church Reform

The Institutional Opposition to Liberte,’ Egalite,’ Fraternite’

Abstract

Reform aimed towards the Catholic Church at the dawn of the French Revolution began with political motivation but quickly took on a deeper cultural significance. Records focused between 1789 and 1791 show that the best way to create change was through the Third Estate and by reducing the status and resources of the Church. The National Assembly exposed the Church as an institutional opposition to the people and their newfound civil liberties. The Third Estate was placed in a position where they had to choose between following the newly emerging spirit of revolution or their long-standing religious devotion, the Revolution won out. What began as a mixed reaction from both devout Catholics and inspired revolutionaries, quickly turned into a more radical anti-clerical movement by the end of 1791. This research turns away from the perspective of the clergy and instead brings to light the reaction of the Third Estate.