In part two of the FT's series on the French Revolution, host Robin Wigglesworth discusses the monetary transformation with historian Rebecca Spang, author of Stuff and Money in the Time of the French Revolution. The revolution, a fight for liberty, equality and fraternity, was also a battle over money. As France descended into war, political turmoil and the Reign of Terror, the Assignat currency became increasingly troubled.
The hosts examine why trust in money matters, exploring how the economic turmoil may have paved the way for Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to power. The experiment with the Assignat ultimately failed, demonstrating the critical importance of monetary stability during revolutionary periods. Further reading: Stuff and Money in the Time of the French Revolution by Rebecca L Spang.
Source: Financial Times Companies · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing