Liberty, Equality, Fraternity (2024)

A legacy of the Age of Enlightenment, the motto "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité" first appeared during the French Revolution. Although it was often called into question, it finally established itself under the Third Republic. It was written into the 1958 Constitution and is nowadays part of the French national heritage.

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity (1)

Linked by François Fénelon at the end of the 17th century, the notions of "liberty", "equality" and "fraternity" became more widespread during the Age of Enlightenment.

At the time of the French Revolution, "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" was one of the many mottos in use. In a December 1790 speech on the organization of the National Guards, Maximilien Robespierre advocated that the words "The French People" and "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" be written on uniforms and flags, but his proposal was rejected.

From 1793 onwards, Parisians, soon to be imitated by the inhabitants of other cities, painted the following words on the façades of their houses: "Unity, indivisibility of the Republic; liberty, equality or death". But they were soon asked to erase the phrase’s final part as it was too closely associated with the Reign of Terror.

This motto fell into disuse under the Empire, like many revolutionary symbols. It reappeared during the Revolution of 1848 marked with a religious dimension: priests celebrated the "Christ-Fraternité" and blessed the trees of liberty that were planted at the time. When the Constitution of 1848 was drafted, the motto "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" was defined as a "principle" of the Republic.

Discarded under the Second Empire, this motto finally established itself under the Third Republic, although some people still objected to it, including partisans of the Republic: solidarity was sometimes preferred to equality which implies a levelling of society, and the Christian connotation of fraternity was not accepted by everyone.

This motto was inscribed again on the pediments of public buildings on the occasion of the celebration of 14 July 1880. It appears in the constitutions of 1946 and 1958 and is today an integral part of our national heritage. It is found on items used by the general public such as coins and postage stamps.

Source: Website of the Elysée (in French)

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity (2024)

FAQs

What is the answer to Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity lead to an ideal nation? ›

Liberty, equality, and fraternity are considered the trinity of democracy. Liberty gives impetus for progress, equality ensures equal opportunities, and contentment and fraternity provide a healthy atmosphere and solidarity in times of distress. These three essentials go hand in hand in an ideal nation.

What are the three words that the French Revolution stood for? ›

At the time of the French Revolution, "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" was one of the many mottos in use.

What is the famous French slogan Liberty, Equality, Fraternity? ›

Liberté, égalité, fraternité – Liberty, Equality, Fraternity: these words are regarded as the most famous slogan of the French Revolution. Men and women are born and remain free and equal in rights.

What did the French Revolution slogan mean? ›

Translated directly from French, the motto means "liberty, equality, fraternity". Less literally, however, Liberté, Égalité, and Fraternité are fundamental values that define French society, and democratic life in general.

What do the words Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity mean to you? ›

"Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" refers to the slogan of the French Revolution. It represents the core principles of the revolutionaries - liberty (freedom), equality (equal rights), and fraternity (brotherhood/solidarity among citizens).

Why is fraternity equality and liberty important? ›

Fraternity is a constitutional value in India, alongside liberty and equality, aimed at achieving social harmony and unity. The framers of the Indian Constitution recognized the importance of fraternity in a society marred by hierarchical social inequalities.

What is the difference between Liberty, Equality and Fraternity? ›

Whereas liberty and equality emphasize the rights of the individual, fraternity emphasizes the rights of the community. Whereas liberty protects the right to live free from interference, fraternity advances the goals of commitment and responsibility, of making positive steps in the community.

How did the Jacobins betray the ideals of liberté, égalité, and fraternité? ›

Overall, the Jacobins' actions during the French Revolution, including the restriction of liberties, the Reign of Terror, limited equality, and disregard for fraternity, betrayed the ideals of liberté, égalité, and fraternité.

How does the French motto Liberty, Equality, Fraternity symbolize the French Revolution? ›

Equality, or doing away with privilege, was the most important part of the slogan to the French revolutionists. For equality they were willing to sacrifice their political liberty. They did this when they accepted the rule of Napoleon I. Fraternity, or brotherhood with all men, was also sacrificed.

Was a motto of the French Revolution equality liberty and fraternity? ›

Three well known revolutionary ideas were encapsulated in the revolutionary slogan “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”. The ideology of the French Revolution was broader and more complex than mere slogans, however.

What replaced liberty equality and fraternity as the slogans of the new regime? ›

Order, security, and efficiency replaced liberty, equality, and fraternity as the slogans of the new regime. Napoleon undertook a massive building campaign to reform the French economy.

What was the French motto before the 1789 French Revolution? ›

Liberty – Equality – Fraternity.

What famous revolutionary document stated the philosophy of liberty, equality, and fraternity? ›

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (French: Déclaration des droits de l'Homme et du citoyen de 1789), set by France's National Constituent Assembly in 1789, is a human civil rights document from the French Revolution.

What was the slogan of the French Revolution poster? ›

This ties in with the motto of the French Revolution, which was ''Liberté, égalité, fraternité! '' The motto itself was a powerful propaganda tool. Posters and pamphlets containing this slogan, along with tricolor imagery, were prevalent throughout Revolutionary France.

What spread the ideas of equality liberty and fraternity? ›

The French Revolution which started in 1789 gave the world the ideas of Liberty, Equality, and fraternity. The people of France were oppressed by the cruel king, heavy taxes and slavery so they started the revolution on 5 May 1789 which ended on 9 Nov 1799.

How did Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity influence the French Revolution? ›

Equality, or doing away with privilege, was the most important part of the slogan to the French revolutionists. For equality they were willing to sacrifice their political liberty. They did this when they accepted the rule of Napoleon I. Fraternity, or brotherhood with all men, was also sacrificed.

In what ways do you think ideas of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity would have helped to inspire protest movements? ›

The ideas of Liberty, equality and fraternity would inspire the protest movements for sure . As this words are related to democracy and every country needs a democratic government . During the British time In India many indian rulers also followed the way of French revolution like the great ruler Tipu Sultan.

How did Liberty, Equality, Fraternity sum up the goals of the revolution? ›

The slogan "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity" summed up the goals of the revolution because the people wanted liberty from the unjust government, equality so that no individual is looked down upon, and Fraternity so that everyone in France could be united.

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