Why is it that there has been many lists of grievances and pamphlets written towards the higher power in Europe whether it be from the 3rd estate women or people of color? There seems to be a pattern with citizens in the minority following suit and complaining about the injustices they face while the white male upper class has seemed to have done nothing about it. Each document of complaint has different substance whether it be the tone or demands but each has one thing in common, the want for a sort of equality. What is inspiring the want for progressive change in Europe?
Sam Stewart
I think this an interesting point you bring up, about how these progressive moments all occurred at a similar time. In my opinion the people within these groups pushing for progressive change saw an opportunity amidst the chaos of the revolution. In violent revolutions such as the french revolution where the playing field for power becomes completely reset there is opportunity for oppressed groups to improve there status in the power hierarchy. The grievances that members of the Third Estate within France levied against the king in pamphlets such as Sieyès’s What Is the Third Estate? were not brand new. Similar to those Male’s in the third estate, other groups had been harboring grievances for some time. Take the slaves who rebelled in the Caribbean for example, they had harbored hopes of rebellion since Francois Makandal tried to rebel in `1757. Since the rules are being redrawn , revolution is a great opportunity for groups feeling they have not had say in society to voice there opinions on what the post revolution society should look like.
Alex Garvey
I agree with Sam that these movements all occurred at the same time because of the chaos of the revolution. What better way to get a point across than during a problematic time filled with turmoil. The tone and demands may differ a little bit but ultimately the point of each of these pamphlets was some sort of equality. I also feel like these movements came at time same time because of inspiration from the other groups. The first group pushing for change probably inspired the other groups to jump in and list their complaints and demands as well. One group set the tone and the others followed.
