The Russian anarchist and revolutionary Peter Kropotkin advocated for the benefits of mutual help and cooperation as the best means of social organization. He advocated doing away with private property and government altogether in favor of a new society based on voluntary collaboration and mutual help. Humans, in Kropotkin's view, have an innate propensity to work together, and this cooperative spirit should serve as the cornerstone of a reimagined social order. In "Defending the French Revolution," a chapter from Peter Kropotkin's "The Great French Revolution 1789-1793," the author defends the upheaval while highlighting the revolution's good outcomes. Kropotkin lays primary focus on people's ability to rule themselves without a monarch or any external authority. People may "take the governance of their own affairs into their own hands," he says. They claim that, at least. [Endnote needed] This meant that regular people may be able to weigh in on the radical reforms being implemented in the government, economy, and social structure. In the end, it was the will of the people that determined these things. The revolution had good impacts on the ordinary people, which Kropotkin also highlights. The key idea here is that "individuals and communities" "enjoyed a higher level of safety and freedom than in the past." This occurred when the feudal system, the basis of a social structure that upheld inequality and injustice, was abolished. Furthermore, he claims that the revolution "abolished all types of privilege" and created a free press. Because of this, more individuals were able to speak out against injustice and share their perspectives. Kropotkin also cites the revolutionary movement's global effect as an argument in its favor. He claims that "all the persecuted and enslaved people of Europe" now have "a ray of hope" because to the Revolution. Those living under despotic rulers, such as kings, were most affected by this. He claims that "it was feasible for people to rise up and demand their rights" during the French Revolution. At least, that's what you'll hear. The revolution, Kropotkin argues finally, "made it possible for the people to be the masters of their own destiny." As it allowed ordinary people greater control over their own lives, he feels it was a major step forward for democracy. And he considers this to be a major victory for democracy. As Peter Kropotkin summarizes his case in favor of the Revolution, he stresses the good impact it had throughout Europe, not only in France. He emphasizes three key features of the revolution: the abolition of privilege, the defense of individual liberties, and the extension of democratic freedoms. And to top it all off, he says the revolution gave hope to those living under tyrannical governments and empowered the common man to choose his own fate.

1. 150-200 words

The French Revolution was worth the human cost and was a necessary process spearheaded in France towards the abolition of tyranny throughout not only France but Europe as it had a ripple effect. France had been mismanaged by the royals for many years leading to social, economic, and political issues. Peter Kropotkin stated that France was changed after the four years of revolution, French peasants finally ate their fill, gained back a sense of pride, and felt free to address their grievances that had been so often left unheard. (Kropotkin Pg.237) The needed bloodshed destroyed the old crumbling order as they beheaded the royals and gave power to the parliament. This bold revolution caused a cascade effect of other monarchies in Europe as well.

The best arguments in a debate are formed when you study your opponent's argument and then form your counter so that is what I will do. Simon Schama states, "For the most eager terrorists, though, this was still a messy and inconvenient way of disposing of political garbage." (Schama Pg.247) He would go on to focus on terror and call on the revolutionary actions as unjust. Schama completely neglects the circumstances that led up to the revolution and the atrocities faced by the French people. War is never pretty but it is necessary no matter the cost when it is opposed to tyranny. This is something Peter Kropotkins an anarchist, and Thomas Paine, one of our founding fathers who was also an abolitionist, understood.

The final point I will address that I am sure will be brought up by my opposition is the fact that not even ten years after the new republic was formed Napoleon Bonaparte was launched into the political sphere leading all of Europe into war. Napoleon took advantage of the instability created by such a revolution to come to power via a military coup. After the revolution, pro royalist movements went abroad and encouraged foreign powers to invade. (History Extra) The constant defense of the nation led to the increasing powers of the French military and its leaders, one in particular being Napoleon. Napolean unraveled much of what the revolution sought to establish but it set a fire of liberty in France that even when stamped out would later grow ablaze and lead to France's freedoms and liberties.

Respond to One (1) of your peers with the same view. 

**Simon Schama from his book Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution**

1. 150-200 words

The French Revolution was not worth its human cost. The Revolution can be characterized by excessive violence that outweighed positive impacts. Early in the Revolution, rebels beat back the royals to a point where superiors chose to contribute the losses to conspiracy – leaders of the defeated army were ultimately arrested for apparent treasonable contact with the enemy. Eventually military courts were given additional authorities which led to unchecked military justice. All citizens were encouraged to denounce anyone they thought was part of the rebellion (Schama 1989, 246). Unfortunately, this practice was used by people to exact revenge for other reasons. Some time later, the charter of the Terror gave broad powers of arrest and punishment. Under the Terror, there was also a requirement to post the names of those residing in a house on the door. If someone not on list was found inside, it would be considered a crime. As time went on and more were convicted, executions increased in number and frequency. For example, 32 heads were severed by guillotine in 25 minutes on one such occasion. The horrid efficiency of the Terror was staggering. Others were dealt with by cannon fire, bayonet, and saber (Schama 1989, 247). Bodies were dumped indiscriminately in front of cafes and inns and “hunters” would gather in some of these inns before heading out in search of more rebels to execute. Rebel hunters looked forward to finding more criminals and were encouraged to do so (Schama 1989, 248).

With thousands upon thousands of people killed in the French Revolution, was there anything positive to offset the loss of life? It is not clear if the rural populations were any better off after the Revolution, there were changes, but the positive and negative aspects offset. The Revolution was “…an interlude in the inexorable modernization of property rights that had been well under way before 1789” (Schama 1989, 249). In some cases, noble families returned to their farms and resumed business as usual. Additionally, some offices of power were again filled by those who held them before or pursued by others seeking power (Schama 1989, 249;251). Ultimately, the Revolution may have fostered the creation of the “citizen” title but the “police power of the state” stood in the way of true liberty (Schama 1989, 250). Although France changed in some ways after the Revolution, those changes do not offset the deaths.

BUSINESS CLASS – RESPONSES 2 PEERs

1. 100-150 WORDS

Tools such as pictures, list, charts and tables help you convey information from yourself to your audience. We all know what death by PowerPoint means. Using the same old generic slides and pictures to drone on about the same basic facts that most of your audience probably already knows. Most people in the world are very visual learners. Simply adding a picture can add nuance to the information on the slide. It allows the audience to start creating an image in their brain and allows them to start to become a part of the presentation. As far as list goes simply the adding the information won't do. By using effects, layouts, and transitions, we can use bright bold colors and movement in order to draw the audience is eye to the information you're trying to convey. Sometimes when you have a list or a table it's filled with good information but sometimes you can't see how drastic a change is with simply just putting up numbers. By using charts and graphs, people can see a visual representation of the differences between the information on the slide. It gives people a visual image that allows them to visually see the drastic differences within the information on the slide. Sometimes using graphs to support your images allows your audience to make well informed decisions not on what they have read but also with the visual arts that you included.  I particularly like to use videos to help convey messages. With YouTube, I am able to support the information on the slide with a video that provides both visual and audio sensories to be activated to help absorb the information more thoroughly.

1. 100-150 WORDS

Indeed, a picture is worth a thousand words. My understanding of this adage is that even though you may have a single image, it can be left up to interpretation of the viewers. One example could be if you have a picture of a mountain landscape or even a pie chart related to a business presentation, the interpretation of an image can draw many different thoughts, ideas, and conclusions. By showing an image of a mountain landscape, one viewer might remember an event where they went skiing, another may start thinking of ideas of planning a hike. If a pie chart is presented, the image may entice an employee to start thinking of strategies to better favor the positive in the chart. For another, it may confuse them completely.

In any instance, the ability to present a concise and simple chart or image along with an engaging dialogue will emphasize your presentation and keep your audience engaged. With an accompanying image, this directs the focus of your audience during your brief while you highlight key knowledge that pertains to your presentation.