Sans-culottes
The sans-culottes (meaning, those without culottes, or breeches) referred to the lower classes of 18th century France, many of whom became violent partisans when the French Revolution broke out.
History
The sans-culottes took their name due to the fact that they belonged to the lower classes, who wore pantalons, long trousers, rather than the culottes, silk knee-breeches, worn by the upper classes. Comprising elements from the Third Estate, including merchants and peasants, the finances of France relied upon them, even though many of them were poor.[1]
Although the term sans-culottes initially referred to the common men who committed violence in the name of the revolution, it came to refer to all those opposed to the aristocracy and the counter-revolutionaries.[2] They were among the most ardent supporters of the revolution, holding significant political influence.[1]
Led by radicals such as Jean-Paul Marat, Jacques Roux, Jacques Hébert and Jean Lessard, the sans-culottes were present at many of the important events of the revolution, including the Storming of the Bastille and the Women's March on Versailles. They sang revolutionary songs such La Camagnole and Ça Ira and adopted the phrygian cap in 1792, which became their symbol.[2]
The sans-culottes would also harass aristocrats and their associates, Jean-Jacques Calvert,[3] Marie Tussaud and Désirée Clary among them.[2]
Gallery
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A painting of an idealized sans-culotte
