Question

What role did the women of France, belonging to the third estate, played during the French Revolution?

Answer 1

Women of third estate of France played a crucial role in the revolution. From the beginning of the revolution itself they were actively involved in it.

i) In order to discuss and voice their interests, women started their own political clubs and newspapers. About sixty women’s clubs came up in different French cities.

ii) The Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women was the most famous of them.

iii) One of their main demands was that women enjoy the same political rights as men. They demanded the right to vote, to be elected to the Assembly and to hold political office.

iv) During the reign of Terror, Women clubs were shut down and many prominent women were arrested and executed.

v) Example of one such women is Olympe de Gouges. She fought for the cause of women rights, writing her own "Declaration of the Rights for woman and citizen" and was ultimately executed.