A B I N G D O N ' S
M O D E R N
L A N G U A G E S
M A G A Z I N E
the
POLYGLOT Lent 2020
Issue 17
Revolution
the
POLYGLOT
ISSUE 17
Contents page
4
6
8
12
14
18
Voltaire's influnence on the French Revolution
22
Billy Backhouse La révolution de l'art abstrait en France
26
George Rich An Interview with Frau von Widdern Arlo Hyman, Jacob Eaton Das Leben der Anderen & Barbara - Film review
28
29
Philip Kimber The Cuban Revolution
30
Hamish Carle Georgian Literary Movement under the Russian Empire and USSR Luka Shanidze
2
Die außergewöhnliche Revolution Deutschlands Will Wakelam La révolution du cinéma Français: Nouvelle Vague Charlie Masters La revolución Espanola Tom Gardener
Toute la France dessine
La place de Marianne dans la république Jakob Hobbs
the
POLYGLOT
Editors' Letter
N
apoleon’s suggestion that ‘a
this change can manifest itself
revolution is an idea, taken
in a multiplicity of ways. In this
up by bayonets’ only addresses
issue, our team of writers have
one aspect of a term which is
written a range of articles which
as nebulous as it is broad. While
offer a flavour of the breadth of
revolution can certainly constitute
this term. The overarching theme
a sudden, fundamental overthrow
of revolution has provided the
of a political or social system
basis for wide-ranging discussions
like that which Eugène Delacroix
concerning philosophy, history and
envisaged in his famed painting,
culture with a number of articles
upheavals in culture, technology or
in French, Spanish and German.
science are equally revolutionary
Thanks must go to all those who
in the sense that they entail a
contributed to this edition and
dramatic and long-lasting change.
above all to Mrs Middleton who has
Indeed these revolutions have
overseen the publication of this
played an equally important part
issue.
in shaping the world as we know
revolvo - I turn around), change
Jakob Hobbs and Billy Backhouse
is the essence of revolution but
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
it. As its etymology suggests (Latin
3
the
POLYGLOT
Voltaire's influence on the French revolution oltaire's V s e r o l p x house e k c a B olution y l v l i e r B h c n e r n the F o e c n e u fl in mind but was first punished for challenging the ‘chevalier de Rohan-Chabot’ to a duel.
T
he French revolution of 1789 is
As a result, he was exiled to England where
unquestionably one of the most
he gained a great fascination with the
significant dates in French history. With the
differing systems of rulership; the British
collapse of the ‘Ancien Régime’ under Louis
constitutional monarchy opposed to French
XVI, figures such as Robespierre and Danton
absolutism. Voltaire was also greatly
sought to create a new French republic,
impressed in his ‘lettres philosophiques’
embodying new philosophical ideas to
by the freedom of both religion and speech
usurp the outdated, archaic views of the
in contemporary England. He stated in his
monarchy. Among which Voltaire, one of the
fifth letter that ‘everyone is permitted to
most influential thinkers of his time, had an
serve god in whatever mode or fashion he
especially profound impact.
thinks proper’ and even recounted a tale of a clergyman publishing an anti-establishment
Born in Paris in 1694, Voltaire grew up the
piece that was not censored by parliament.
youngest of five children of the lawyer
This was a stark contrast to the French
François Arouet. A polemicist from an early
monarchy's system of literary censorship.
age, Voltaire was no stranger to speaking his
For instance, Voltaire’s own ‘lettres
4
the
POLYGLOT philosophiques’ were ironically censored
and its contents, concluding that most of
and ‘burned publicly’ for not gaining the royal
its explanation was dubious and thus the
charter of the French monarchy. Although this
Church should be separated from the state.
letter merited an involuntary exile from Paris,
This separation or ‘laïcité’, as it would come
Voltaire’s beliefs in a society where people had
to be known, were fundamental tenets of the
the ‘liberté’ to publish whatever they wanted
new French republic and it could even be
and to believe in whatever they wanted is still
argued that the republic’s abolition of the first
prevalent today. The republican motto ‘liberté,
(clergy) and second (aristocracy) estates as
égalité et fraternité’ embodies Voltaire’s ideals
well as the reallocation of their assets further
whilst an official ‘loi sur la liberté de la presse’
belittled religion’s influence after the French
was passed at the start of the third French
Revolution.
republic. Although Voltaire did not live to see the Voltaire’s religious views also had a large
complete manifestation of this enormous
impact on the reformatory policies of the
cultural and philosophical metamorphosis,
French revolution. In his most famous work
I am certain that he would have relished its
‘Candide’, Voltaire satirizes its practitioners,
values of free speech and its repression of
presenting them as hedonistic, impious and
religion in state affairs. Nevertheless, we
thieving. Voltaire’s satire truly emphasises
must attribute a lot of the philosophical
the prominent role of the Catholic church in
advancements made during the French
French society and scrutinises it, especially
Revolution to Voltaire, a man who was
through his representation of a utopian society
prepared to be castigated, exiled and
in which religion plays no dominant role in
imprisoned so he could write about his
affairs despite co-existing. Wanting to explore
controversial views and a man who has since
more about the true scientific existence of
captured ‘l’esprit français’ that we see today.
God, Voltaire closely examined the Bible
ité et l a g é , é t r 'libe o tt o m n a eals d lic i b 's u e p r i e a r t l e Th es Vo i d o b m e ' fraternité
5
the
POLYGLOT
La Révolution de l'Art abstrait en France the George Rich surveys in France rt a t c a tr s b A f o e c n e emerg
L
'art abstrait est un art qui
Le mouvement de l’art abstrait a
n’essaie pas de représenter une
commencé à émerger au début du
interprétation actuelle d'une réalité
vingtième (20th) siècle, tandis qu’il y
visuelle, mais un art qui utilise des
avait un déclin dans l'appréciation du
formes, des couleurs et des marques pour
réalisme. L’introduction de l’art abstrait a
obtenir son effet. L'artiste russe, Wassily
aidé les mouvements similaires comme
Kandinsky, est considéré comme un des
l’Impressionnisme à être plus reconnus.
fondateurs du mouvement. Cependant,
L’Impressionnisme prend quelques
les artistes qui sont les plus connus pour
éléments d’une image et ensuite, il les
leur style abstrait en France incluent
manipule et les change pour représenter
Henri Matisse et Marcel Duchamp,
la lumière.
qui ont peint ‘L’escargot’ (The snail) et ‘Nu descendant un escalier’ (Nude
Tout comme beaucoup d’autres choses,
descending a staircase) respectivement.
l’art abstrait a été influencé par les deux guerres mondiales. L’impact de
6
the
POLYGLOT
ter n e s é epr r e d le, l s e a u p s ssaie réalité vi des e ’ t n e i s u r e art q elle d'un uleu o n c u t s , de it es ion actu s a e r t m et. s r ff t b o e a a f t t n s é L'ar r so rpr e de i e s t i n l e n i t i t une qui u s pour ob t r a ue un mais marq
“
”
ces guerres a signifié que beaucoup d’artistes ont dû fuir leurs maisons vers
style abstrait incluent Pablo Picasso et
la sécurité des États Unis. Quelques
Georgia O’Keefe entre autres qui ont aidé
artistes comme Marcel Duchamp (que
le mouvement à se répandre et à devenir
j’ai mentionné précédemment) ont
plus populaire avec les gens et nouveaux
montré leur réaction à leur situation en
artistes aussi. De nos jours, l'achat de
peignant avec leurs expériences. En
peintures abstraites est devenu très à la
plus, la vague d'indépendance du dix-
mode et la plupart des célébrités en ont
neuvième (19th) siècle pour les artistes
une chez eux.
a impacté l'émergence de l’art abstrait également. Cela signifie que les artistes ont donné plus de liberté et de puissance à produire le travail, ce qui leur a permis de développer leurs intérêts. Suite à cette
formes - form
vague d'indépendance, il y a une énorme
tandis qu'il y avait - while there was
augmentation dans la popularité de l’art
fuir - to flee
abstrait en France.
vague - wave en peignant - by painting
Maintenant, les artistes qui ont la plus
se répandre - to spread
grande notoriété pour avoir peint dans le
à la mode - fashionable
7
ont un chez eux - have one at home
the
POLYGLOT
An Interview with Frau Von Widdern cob By Arlo Hyman and Ja
Eaton
By 1945, the United States and the
A
Soviet Union had begun to emerge as t the end of the Second World War,
ideologically opposed 'superpowers',
Germany was divided into four
each wanting to exert their influence in
zones of occupation under the control
the post-war world. Germany became
of the United States, Britain, France and
a focus of Cold War politics and as
the Soviet Union. Berlin, although located
divisions between East and West
within the Soviet zone, was also split
became more pronounced, so too did the
amongst the four powers. The American,
division of Germany. In 1949, Germany
British and French sectors formed West
formally split into two independent
Berlin and the Soviet sector became
nations: the Federal Republic of Germany
East Berlin. The division of Germany and
(FDR or West Germany), allied to the
the nature of its occupation had been
Western democracies, and the German
confirmed by the Allied leaders at the
Democratic Republic (GDR or East
Potsdam Conference, held between 17
Germany), allied to the Soviet Union.
July and 2 August 1945.
8
the
POLYGLOT
Soldiers extending the Berlin Wall in 1961
the
POLYGLOT In 1952, the East German government
escape into West Berlin. By 1989, the Wall
closed the border with West Germany,
was lined with 302 watchtowers. More
but the border between East and West
than 100 people died trying to cross the
Berlin remained open. East Germans could
Berlin Wall over the course of its 28-year
still escape through the city to the less
history. But the Wall was just one part
oppressive and more affluent West. It was
of the larger 'inner German border' that
under the constant surveillance of armed
separated East and West Germany, and
East German border guards who were
hundreds more were killed trying to cross
authorised to shoot anyone attempting to
other fortified border points.
What was life like in Berlin before the wall came down? I lived on the west side of the Berlin Wall. I was 13 when the wall was destroyed and up until then I hadn't really noticed any of the restrictions. I lived just within Berlin and we had a holiday house by the Baltic Sea in the north. We would go there three or four times a year so every time we wanted to leave Berlin, we had to go through a number of checkpoints in East and West Germany. If you were in any way suspicious to the East German border guards, they would take you aside and would search your car thoroughly, leaving everything strewn all over the place.
Did you do anything special on the evening of 9th November? Not in the evening because I was at school on the day that the wall came down, so I heard the news half way through the school day. The next day was a Saturday so we went to East Berlin and it was so weird, so different even though it was just a few kilometres on the other side. I remember the smells were different, the sounds were different, even the colours of the buildings were different, people’s clothes, people’s haircuts. Everything was different.
What was the atmosphere like when the wall had come down? Because so many friends and families had been separated, initially people were elated on both sides. East Germans wanted to visit West Berlin; many just to have a look. They just wanted to see what the supposed golden West was like and lots of West Germans would hit the cars on the top as a celebration at the borders. There was champagne and lots of partying.
10
Did your life change due to the reunification? My family life did not change because I had quite a small family, but my school life changed a lot. My school was only 2 km from the border meaning that when the new school year started, we had a completely new form of students who all came from East Germany, whose first language was Russian. They had a Russian teacher and they were two years ahead in Maths and Science; they were absolutely unbelievably amazing.
Was there a big difference in lifestyle between East and West Berlin and was it difficult for the two sectors to integrate? Once the wall had fallen the differences were not as big anymore. With time, many argued that the West had usurped the East which had an impact on the self-confidence of the people who had lived in the East. I think if you went to Berlin today you would not see the differences anymore. However, if you speak to people of my parents’ generation or even my sister’s generation, they will often still talk about East Germans and West Germans. They still have strong biases and prejudices against the East German people.
A segment of the Berlin Wall, today in New York
the
POLYGLOT
Das Leben der Anderen & Barbara - zwei gute deutsche Filme s 'Das lm fi e th s w ie v re r e b Philip Kim ara' rb a 'B & ' n re e d n A r e d Leben ab, und wisst, dass er mit einem Regimekritiker (Albert Jerska) gesprochen hat. Jerska begeht Selbsmord, und
D
as Hauptthema dieser zwei Filme
Wiesler lernt, dass Dreyman einen Artikel
ist die DDR - und der Widerstand
über die viele Suizide in der DDR schreibt.
gegen die Stasi. Der Hauptcharakter in
Der Redakteur der westdeutschen
Das Leben der Anderen, Georg Dreyman,
Zeitung ‘Der Spiegel’ gibt Dreyman eine
is ein Dramatiker, der einen Artikel gegen
verbotene Schreibmaschine, damit er
die Partei schreibt. Barbara (natürlich
den Artikel schreiben kann. Wenn die
die Protagonistin des Films Barbara) ist
Stasi Agenten Dreymans Haus besuchen,
eine Ärztin, die versucht, aus der DDR zu
kennen sie (wegen der Information
fliehen.
von Dreymans Freundin, ChristaMaria Sieland) das Versteck seiner
Das Leben der Anderen hat eine
Schreibmaschine…
spannende Handlung. Der Stasi-Agent Gerard Wiesler hört Dreymans Gespräche
Barbara ist auch ein Filmdrama mit einer
12
the
POLYGLOT
ir m n le l a f e r g ü f e R lm D i D F e e i d d i d l n i Be u e ( w d t, n e u r g e r i n i z seh t s s a i f ) ! o d s n h e c k i m ec r h c ers
“
”
und lehrreich sind, und ich würde sie empfehlen.
gespannten Handlung. Barbara kommt in
Aber meiner Meinung nach ist Das Leben
eine kleine Stadt auf dem Land, wo sie im
der Anderen ein besserer Film, weil er
Krankenhaus arbeiten muss. Sie versteht
aufregender ist. Ein wichtiger Grund
sich gut mit einer der Patienten, die Stella
dafür ist die Filmmusik. Barbara hat fast
heißt. Stella sagt oft, dass sie krank ist,
keine Musik und mehr die Geräusche der
weil sie in einem Jugendwerkhof arbeiten
Natur. Das kommt vielleicht realistischer
muss. Sie möchte die DDR verlassen, aber
vor, aber gibt dem Film ein langsamerer
das ist für sie natürlich gar nicht erlaubt.
Tempo. Ich sah gern beide Filme, und ich
Barbara hat aber eine Chance, die DDR
freue mich darauf, andere deutsche Filme
verlassen zu können, weil sie mit einem
zu sehen.
Westdeutschen befreundet ist. Die Stasi besucht häufig Barbara - also scheint der Film oft sehr spannungsvoll.
Beide Filme gefallen mir sehr gut, weil die DDR für mich so faszinierend (und erschreckend!) ist. Ich würde natürlich sagen, dass beide interessant
13
the
POLYGLOT
The Cuban Revolution Hamish Carle explores how an armed revolt carried out by the communist guerrilla group “The 26th of July Movement” became one of the most historic revolutions of the 20th century
T
he Cuban Revolution of the 1950s is organised crime in America tarnished his arguably one of the most significant public image.
and widely discussed revolutions in modern history - it was a key event in
The revolution is considered to have
the rise of Communism throughout the
formally begun on the 26th of July
20th century and the Guerrilla warfare
1953, a date now known as the Día de
that occurred led to the emergence of
la Revolución in Cuba, in which a young
famous revolutionary figures such as Che
revolutionary named Fidel Castro and
Guevara and Fidel Castro.
his brother, Raúl, led an unsuccessful military coup of 69 men on a Santiago
It was during the US-backed military
Army Barrack. They hoped to ignite
dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista in 1952
a nationwide revolt against Batista’s
when political discontent reached an all
government but many of their men
time high in Cuba due to unemployment
were killed by government soldiers and
and poor water infrastructure affecting
consequently the Castro brothers were
the entire nation. Batista’s links to
sentenced to jail - however in 1955 the
14
the
POLYGLOT
government, under political pressure,
asset to their cause. They adopted the
freed all political prisoners, including the
name the “26th of July Movement” - in
brothers.
reference to their attack on the Santiago Army Barrack.
Once released from prison, they escaped to Mexico where they gathered other
The Castro brothers landed back in
Cuban exiles and formed a Guerilla
Cuba on December 2nd 1956 on the
movement to combat the Batista
“Granma” yacht with 80 other Guerrilla
leadership once more. Here, they
fighters including Che Guevara, at a
received training from Alberto Rayo, a
time when civil conflict against the
leader of the Republican forces in the
Cuban Government was increasing.
Spanish Civil war. It was at this time in
While marching into the Sierra Maestra
mid 1955 when they met Ernesto “Che”
mountains, they were attacked by
Guevara, an Argentine revolutionary, who
Batista’s army and their troops dispersed
would later become an indispensable
throughout the mountains. When they
15
the
POLYGLOT were able to link up again, it was found
efforts of the 26th of July movement with
that only 21 of the original 80 fighters had an attack of 12,000 men on the Sierra survived. This group of survivors included
Maestra mountains, named Operation
Fidel and Raúl Castro, Che Guevara and
Verano. In a series of small skirmishes,
Camilo Cienfuegos.
despite being hugely outnumbered, the Guerrillas were able to defeat the Cuban
The 26th of July Movement remained
army. In response to their victory, Castro
small in numbers throughout the
and his guerrilla troops descended from
revolution, sometimes with less than
the mountains and led attacks on four
200 men, yet they were consistently
fronts, replenished with new weapons
able to stage successful attacks on
captured from Batista’s men and
Batista’s army of 37,000 troops - showing smuggled in by plane. The guerrillas split the effectiveness of their training and
into four columns, led by Fidel Castro, Che
their supply of weapons from the CIA-
Guevara, Camilo Cienfuegos and Jaime
connected Frank Sturgis. A US arms
Vega. Whilst Castro’s column brought the
embargo on Cuba was established in
Cauto plains under his control, the other
March 1958, causing the deterioration
three proceeded towards Santa Clara,
of Batista’s air force. This, paired with a
with only Jaime Vega’s column being
growing number of violent revolutionary
destroyed on the way.
groups - including the Second National Front of the Escambray, significantly
On the 31st of December 1958,
weakened Batista’s forces.
the battle of
Batista finally responded to the
“
ment rem e v o M ly u J f o th 6 2 The volu e r e th t u o h g u o r th numbers yet they , n e m 0 0 2 n a th s s with le l attacks fu s s e c c u s e g ta s to able of 37,000 troop
16
the
POLYGLOT Santa Clara took place and the combined
In the aftermath of this revolution, Cuban
forces of Guevara, Cienfuegos and
relations with the US deteriorated as
Revolutionary Directorate rebels were
the US feared that this revolution had
victorious. As a result of this defeat,
inspired the spread of Communist
Batista fled the country on the 1st of
insurgencies throughout South America,
January and Fidel Castro immediately
whilst the Castro government resented
thereafter began negotiations to take
the US for having provided aid to the
over Santiago de Cuba. On the 2nd,
Batista government during the revolution.
Colonel Rubido, military commander in
By 1960, the Castro government had
Santiago de Cuba, ordered his soldiers
embedded Communism throughout
not to fight. Castro’s forces took over
the country. Cuba went on to heavily
the city and Guevara and Cienfuegos’
support Communist insurgencies in Latin
columns arrived - unrivalled - shortly
America, Africa and the Middle East.
afterwards. Castro’s choice of president, Manuel Urrutia Lleó, took office on the 3rd of January. The rebels had successfully overthrown the Batista dictatorship.
mained small in ution, sometimes y y were consistentl s on Batista’s army ps.
17
the
POLYGLOT
The Georgian Literary Movement under the Russian Empire and Soviet Union Luka Shanidze studies the Georgian literary movement un der the Russian Empire and USSR
G
eorgia is a small country located
the Soviet Union. So how did the fight for
between the Black and Caspian Seas,
homeland, religion and language prevail?
bordered by Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey. It boasts a rich culture, founded on
Georgia’s position at the ‘crossroads of
ancient legends and medieval artistic Golden
Europe and Asia’ has made it subject
ages, as well as being one of the earliest
to frequent invasions by the prevalent
Christianised states. The Georgian language
Ottoman and Persian empires during the
is very distinct and uses a unique version
late Middle Ages. During this troubled
of the world’s six main alphabet systems,
time, the Eastern Georgian Kingdom of
and has done so since the 4th century AD.
Kartli sought the help of another Orthodox
Language and cultural heritage are very
state, Russia, and an alliance was
important to Georgians but were undermined
established in 1783. However, the Russian
and put under attack by some of the policies
Empire became increasingly powerful,
which were imposed upon Georgia during
more so than the Ottomans or Persians,
its period under the Russian Empire and
and soon refused to fulfill the terms of
18
the
POLYGLOT the alliance. This led to the annexation of
the policies of the Russian Empire in the
Kartli in 1801, and subsequently in 1810
early 19th century. After the annexation of
the Western Kingdom of Imereti. Georgia
Georgia, in 1811, the Russian government
was now reduced to a Russian province,
abolished the independence of the
and this was acknowledged by the
Georgian Church. And so, according
Ottomans and Persians in various peace
to Chavchavadze’s statement that
treaties with the Russian Empire.
“We have three sacred things from our ancestors: language, homeland, religion”,
Towards the later half of the 18th century,
for Georgians, only language remained
social and economic issues became
as a symbol of their national identity.
apparent in many of the controlled
However, the Russian policies were soon
states of the Russian Empire. In Georgia
suppressing this too.
particularly, this led to a revival of romantic and patriotic literature, a
The Russian Empire started by abolishing
movement led by intellectuals and poets,
Georgian educational institutions,
the most prominent of whom was Ilia
replacing them with Russian elementary
Chavchavadze. In order to understand this schools. The development in Russian rise in patriotism, especially expressed
policy can be seen by the following
through literature, we have to understand
three progressions: in 1867, Georgian
“
We have three sacred things from our ancestors: language, homeland and religion 19
the
“
POLYGLOT
l a n o i t a n r o f e r u t a e f t s r fi e Th e g a u g n a l s i y identit
was compulsory for everyone but non-
republics.
”
Georgians. In 1873, Georgian was taught in schools, but not compulsory for anyone.
As we can see from the previous century,
Finally in 1881, teaching of Georgian was
language is a very sensitive subject to
wholly prohibited. Up until WW1 and the
Georgians, so when this legislation was
brief independence of Georgia, policies
to be introduced, it was met with outrage.
surrounding language became more
There were massive demonstrations in
oppressive, as it was the last major factor
protest of the new legislation, mainly
that kept Georgian patriotism intact.
by university students and respected Georgian intellectuals. On April 14th,
While the Soviet Union invaded Georgia
20,000 people marched on the House
in 1921, it was not until the 1970s, that
of Government in Tbilisi. This day is now
Georgian nationalist movements were fully commemorated in Georgia as the ‘Day of revived. At this time, Georgia was one of
the Mother Tongue’, an important day for
three Union Republics that had a national
commemorating the 1978 demonstrations
language of higher status than Russian -
and how they shaped the Georgian
the others were Armenia and Azerbaijan.
national movement which eventually
The trigger of the 1978 demonstrations
resulted in Georgian independence in
was the attempt by the Soviet authorities
1991.
to introduce legislation which would make
Today, we Georgians remain proud of our
Russian a state language in these three
‘language, homeland and religion’, all of
20
the
POLYGLOT
which at some point have been under
social, economic or political interactions,
threat, but have survived, carrying down
but something more deeply unifying;
an ancient history and rich culture. The
the medium through which we share
passion and determination with which
our history, our culture, and our ways of
these values were protected makes it
thinking.
clear that language is not just a tool for
“
m u i d e m e h t s i Language e r a h s e w h c i h w through , e r u t l u c r u o , y our histor g n i k n i h t f o s y a w and our 21
the
POLYGLOT
Die e h c i l n h ö w e g r e ß u a n o i t u l Revo s d n a l h c s t u e t die D h c s r der n e t f m erfo a ch ela s k n a e W g l Wil Errun tion n e t r olu swe v n e e r k r r e b beme Novem
1933, wird die Novemberrevolution häufig
I
n Standardgeschichtsbüchern wird
als "unvollständige" Revolution von
die Weimarer Revolution regelmäßig
untergeordneter Bedeutung gesehen.
als ‘unvollständige’ Revolution dargestellt. Viele Menschen sind
Das ist jedoch nicht unbedingt
dieser Ansicht, denn diese Revolution
eine gerechtfertigte Darstellung.
schaffte es nicht, eine Demokratie zu
Man könnte argumentieren,
schaffen, die stark genug war, um dem
dass die Errungenschaften der
Aufstieg des Nationalsozialismus in den
Novemberrevolution, die einzige
frühen 1930er Jahren standzuhalten.
erfolgreiche Revolution in einem hoch
Aufgrund der Tatsache, dass die neuen
industrialisierten Land vor 1989, in der Tat
politischen Führer im Jahr 1918 die
bemerkenswert waren. Innerhalb weniger
bereits bestehenden wirtschaftlichen
Tage verwandelte sich Deutschland
und sozialen Beziehungen, die
friedlich von einer konstitutionellen
Staatsbürokratien und die Justiz relativ
Monarchie mit begrenzten
unberührt ließen, und wegen des
politischen Beteiligungsrechten in die
Niedergangs der Weimarer Republik
fortschrittlichste Republik der Zeit.
22
the
POLYGLOT Die Wahrheit ist, dass Deutschland
Welt, das das allgemeine Wahlrecht für
zu einer Demokratie wurde, die trotz
Frauen einführte, und Frauen bildeten
massiver innen- und außenpolitischer
tatsächlich eine bedeutende Mehrheit
Herausforderungen, die meisten davon
der gesamten Wählerschaft. Der
die Folgen eines verlorenen Krieges,
Beweis für diesen Fortschritt liegt in der
14 Jahre überdauerte und überlebte
Tatsache, dass die weiblichen Wähler
damit länger als fast alle anderen 1918
die männlichen Wähler bei den Wahlen
gegründeten europäischen Demokratien.
zur Nationalversammlung im Januar 1919 um 2,8 Millionen überschritten.
Deshalb scheint es deutlich, dass
Außerdem brachte das Jahr 1918 den
diese Revolution vielleicht zu Unrecht
Deutschen zusätzliche Freiheiten, die
kritisiert wird. Darüber hinaus ist
niemand vor 1914 für möglich gehalten
November 1918 nicht nur eine politische
hätte. Neben den politischen Reformen,
Revolution, sondern auch eine große
die gleiche Beteiligungsrechte
soziale Revolution markierte. Die
für alle erwachsenen
Novemberrevolution gewährte den
Deutschen
Frauen volle Staatsbürgerrechte; Frauen waren zuvor aus dem grundlegendsten Recht der
Staatsbürgerschaft ausgeschlossen worden: das Wahlrecht. Jedoch hatte diese Revolution entscheidende Auswirkungen auf die Situation der Frauen; Deutschland war das erste hoch industrialisierte Land der
r “Innerhalb wenige Tage verwandelte sich Deutschland friedlich von einer konstitutionellen Monarchie mit hen begrenzten politisc n in Beteiligungsrechte te die fortschrittlichs Republik der Zeit”
23
the
POLYGLOT
garantierten, gab es jetzt größere
mit Freude aufgenommen werden",
sexuelle Freiheiten, sowohl für Frauen
schrieb Magnus Hirschfeld, Leiter der
als auch für Homosexuelle beider
weltweit ersten LGBT-Rechtsorganisation,
Geschlechter. Als Ergebnis reagierten
im November 1918. Es ist daher deutlich,
Schwulenrechtsaktivisten sofort
dass viele Menschen maßgeblich von der
mit großer Begeisterung auf die
Weimarer Revolution profitierten.
Novemberrevolution und betrachteten sie als den Beginn einer neuen Ära
Selbst im Vergleich zu anderen
der sexuellen Befreiung, die die
europäischen Revolutionen wie in
Entkriminalisierung der Homosexualität
Finnland 1918 und Ungarn 1919
ankündigte. "Die große Revolution der
waren die revolutionären Ereignisse
letzten Wochen muss aus unserer Sicht
in Deutschland nicht nur ziemlich
24
the
POLYGLOT
unblutig, sondern auch bemerkenswert
Niederlage aufrechtzuerhalten und
erfolgreich, wenn sie nach ihren Zielen
mehrere Millionen Soldaten friedlich zu
(die Wiederherstellung des Friedens
demobilisieren. Zum Schluss scheint
und die Ablösung der Monarchie durch
es mir von entscheidender Wichtigkeit,
ein demokratisches Regime) beurteilt
die Weimarer Revolution mehr zu loben,
werden. Außerdem darf man nicht
die zur Schaffung der fortschrittlichsten
vergessen, dass es der Regierung es
Republik ihrer Zeit geführt hat und und
gelang, revolutionäre Energien zu
die, zumindest anfänglich, von großen
kanalisieren, die öffentliche Ordnung
Hoffnungen und Erwartungen für eine
angesichts einer historisch beispiellosen
noch unbekannte Zukunft begleitet war.
25
the
POLYGLOT
La révolution du cinéma Français: Nouvelle Vague ates the g ti s e v in rs te s a M ie Charl tion French cinema revolu
L
Ils o n les t jeté bas es - they t une hr t p le to rise - he basi ew t cs urn age ake - sh ooti ng
a Nouvelle Vague est un mouvement
style documentaire. Les
cinématographique d'art français
films présentaient des sons directs
qui a débuté à la fin des années
sur des films qui avaient besoin de
1950. Le mouvement se caractérisait
moins de lumière. Les techniques de
par son rejet des conventions
tournage comprenaient un montage
cinématographiques traditionnelles au
fragmenté et discontinu et des prises
profit de l'expérimentation. La Nouvelle
de vue longues. La combinaison du
Vague est souvent considérée comme
réalisme, de la subjectivité et du
l'un des mouvements les plus influents de
commentaire d'auteur a créé une
l'histoire du cinéma.
ambiguïté narrative dans le sens où les questions qui se posent dans un
Utilisant un équipement portable et
film ne reçoivent pas de réponse à la
nécessitant peu ou pas de temps de mise
fin.
en place, la manière de réaliser des films Nouvelles Vagues présentait souvent un
26
Certains des pionniers les plus en
the
POLYGLOT vue du groupe: François Truffaut, Jean-
dans l'appartement ou la cour d'un
Luc Godard, Éric Rohmer, Claude Chabrol
ami, en utilisant les amis du réalisateur
et Jacques Rivette, ont commencé
comme acteurs et équipe. Le coût du
comme critiques pour le célèbre
film était également une préoccupation
magazine cinématographique Cahiers
majeure; ainsi, les efforts pour sauver le
Du Cinéma. Le co-fondateur et théoricien
film se sont transformés en innovations
des Cahiers, André Bazin, a été une
stylistiques. Par exemple, dans À bout de
importante source d'influence pour le
souffle (Breathless) de Jean-Luc Godard,
mouvement. A travers la critique et de
après s'être fait dire que le film était trop
l'éditorialisation, ils ont jeté les bases d'un
long et qu'il devait le réduire à une heure
ensemble de concepts, révolutionnaires à
et demie, il a décidé d'éliminer plusieurs
l'époque.
scènes en utilisant des sauts, car elles ont été filmées dans une longue prise.
De nombreux films français de la
Les parties qui n'ont pas fonctionné ont
Nouvelle Vague ont été produits avec
été simplement coupées du film, une
des petits budgets; souvent tournés
décision pratique et aussi stylistique.
“
La Nouvelle Vague est souvent considérée comme l'un des mouvements les plus influents de l'histoire du cinéma
27
the
POLYGLOT
La Revolución Española
tion u l o v e r s e xplor e r e n e d r Tom Ga in Spain abrió la puerto- it estar divido- to paved the way for suministrar- to supply be split
Vocab
cicatrisar- to scar
cabe apuntar que- it
hacer destacar- un golpe de estado-
should be pointed out
to highlight
D
a coup d'état
urante los años cuarenta, España vivió
poder. Además, la falta de estabilidad atrajo
una Guerra Civil que ha marcado al
la atención internacional ya que Europa
país desde entonces. Sin embargo, cabe
estaba en una época de inestabilidad política
apuntar que antes de este notorio suceso
y potencias extranjeras como Alemania e
había ocurrido una revolución. No se puede
Italia querían tener otro aliado nacionalista.
negar que fue el detonante de una de las
Como consecuencia, el interés de Franco se
guerras más violentas en la historia de
despertó y se empezó a suministrar armas y
España, provocando la adopción generalizada
dinero a los nacionalistas.
de creencias anarquistas y socialistas. Este acontecimiento hizo destacar las diferencias ideológicas dentro de la población española. Después de esta revelación, el estado quedó dividido y los nacionalistas intentaron un golpe de estado que falló. Como resultado, el país se sumió en una guerra civil que abrió la puerta al ascenso de Franco al
28
the
POLYGLOT
e n i s s ce de
n a r F ute la
To
Bande ’s t n e departm omplete three h c n e r f the F ed to c t o i s v r n nning i e i n e w r n i e e v w i w t e the ly crea udents t h S g cher. . i u n h Here ar o o e i v t h i n t T o e . z e comp n Ama navirus a é o r n d i o s n c s a t e u e D BD abo ’s prais l D a o c i H p a o t eceived r s e i r t en s, 2J
ndrew A m a d A
Nathan Shestopol, 2H
Alex Lees, 4HCGM
29
the
POLYGLOT
Liberté, egalité, fraternité: la place de Marianne dans l'imagerie de la République By Jakob Hobbs
A
u coeur de cette huile sur toile
icône et comment peut-on expliquer son
d'Eugène Delacroix, on peut voir
apparence?
une femme, coiffée d’un bonnet phrygien. Dans sa main droite, elle brandit un
Pendant la Révolution Française de
drapeau tricolore, dans sa main gauche
1789, l’imagerie liée aux idées abstraites
un fusil à baïonnette. Cette femme est
de la Liberté et la Raison est devenue
Marianne, la personnification de la liberté
répandue. Au début, il existait de
et symbole de la République française.
nombreuses personnifications de
Marianne incarne les valeurs de la devise
ces valeurs mais au fil du temps, un
française: Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité
personnage est devenu de plus en
et en France, son profil est devenu
plus populaire: Marianne. En 1792,
omniprésent. De bustes à timbres, l’image la Convention Nationale a décidé de Marianne est gravée dans le paysage
d'incorporer l’image de Marianne dans
politique de la France. Sur cette toile de
le sceau de la Première République.
fond, quelles sont les origines de cette
Marianne a formé les fondations des
30
the
POLYGLOT valeurs de ce nouveau départ après la
Depuis lors, les représentations de très
violence de la Révolution. Pendant la
large diffusion (par exemple les timbres-
Troisième République, la prévalence de
poste et les pièces de monnaie) sont
Marianne a continué d’augmenter avec
devenues répandues. De nos jours,
l’installation des bustes dans presque
Marianne continue de tenir une place
toutes les mairies et les bâtiments
importante dans la République française
officiels. En 1879, une statue de Marianne
comme un symbole des valeurs qui
a été construite Place de la République.
guident la France et le peuple.
31
the
POLYGLOT émancipés à Rome et un symbole de la
Marianne à travers les âges
Liberté. Finalement, Marianne symbolise le triomphe de la République (dans
Bien que l’apparence de Marianne ait
les révolutions de 1789 et de 1848) et
évolué, l’imagerie fondamentale reste
souvent elle porte des symboles de cette
inchangée. Avant tout,
lutte: un fusil à baïonnette, une pique et
Marianne est symbole de la Liberté. Toute
un symbole d'autorité et la justice, soit le
son apparence tient une importance
faisceau de licteur.
symbolique. Depuis l’Antiquité, la Liberté a été représentée par une femme et
L’apparence de Marianne a évolué afin de
la feminité de Marianne est soulignée.
réfléchir le contexte politique et social. En
Souvent cette feminité a été moquée
2018, Macron a dévoilé le nouveau visage
dans des caricatures antifrançaises
de Marianne qui incarne l’idée d’une
mais pour les Français, cette femme
femme forte. L’imagerie de Marianne
est une source de fierté. De plus, elle
continue et continuera à symboliser et
porte le bonnet phrygien, un objet
façonner l’identité française. Sa place est
porté originalement par les esclaves
fixe.
“
L'imagerie de Marianne continue et continuera à symboliser et façonner l'identité française 32
the
POLYGLOT
s t i d re
C
Edi
to
Billy rs-in B Jak ackho Chief ob H u obb se s
tors u b i r t Con ouse
ckh Billy Ba Carle Hamish Rich George bbs o Jakob H sters Ma Charlie anidze Luka Sh dener r Tom Ga elam k Will Wa ber im Philip K an m Arlo Hy ton a Jacob E
and t r fA o d n Hea Desig aley He es
Jam
Supe
rvisi Edito ng r Mrs Midd
leton
The Polyglot is a publication wholly produced and owned by Abingdon School, a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity (Charity No. 1071298). Copyright in all articles and images remains with the creators and owners of those works. Previously published images and other excerpts from published works are used under the terms of Fair Use or a Creative Commons licence.
the
POLYGLOT Issue 17