In 1791, a peaceful protest turned into a massacre that split the French Revolution
What began as a peaceful gathering for a petition turned into a bloody confrontation at the Champ de Mars, shattering the unity of the French Revolution and turning heroes into villains overnight.
On July 17, 1791, a massive crowd gathered in Paris to demand the removal of King Louis XVI after his failed attempt to flee the country. Tensions boiled over when the National Guard, led by the previously beloved war hero Marquis de Lafayette, opened fire on the unarmed protesters. This tragedy resulted in dozens of deaths and fundamentally altered the course of history.
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