Liberty Day History Display from 2010--pt. 19

The second board with paper soldiers depicted the 1798 Battle of the Pyramids in Egypt. Napoleon won the battle against the British-allied Mamluks and became very popular in France. He would use his reputation as a great general to gain his election as Emperor of France. Napoleon was forced out of Egypt because his fleet was destroyed at the Battle of the Nile.

Liberty Day History Display from 2010--pt. 17

George III and Taxes

The monarch who began the American Revolution was George III. The cause: taxes after a successful war. Britain had won the Seven Years’ War in 1763, but was deeply in debt as a result. This gave them a pretext to tax the American colonists--without representation in Parliament. The colonists justly protested this act of usurping God-given liberties and begged the British to cease. After years of unanswered and slighted petitions, lawful armed interposition was required on Lexington Green.

Louis XVI and Taxes

The monarch who began the French Revolution was Louis XVI. The cause: taxes. The reason is a little different than the American War for Independence, but one reason was the debt on France because of winning the Bourbon War, which includes the American Revolution and other theaters of war (the French finances were also in trouble after the Seven Years’ War). The other reason was the excessive spending of the French court, especially blamed on Queen Marie-Antoinette. The French hated the Austrians, having fought them for 200 years, and Marie-Antoinette was not only an Austrian, but the daughter of the late Austrian Empress, Maria Theresa. Her spending and nationality inflamed the French against her until at last they revolted against the high taxes and stormed the Bastille.

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. (Proverbs 21:1, KJV)

Liberty Day History Display from 2010--pt. 16

Napoleon

And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. (1 Samuel 8:18, KJV)

God was using the French Revolution to bring the dictator Napoleon to power, as a judgment on the French. After participating in the successful recapture of Toulon from the British and leading a brilliant campaign in Italy, the popular commander was sent to Egypt. He added the Battle of the Pyramids to his victories, but his fleet was crushed at the Battle of the Nile. This forced him to sail back to France, and with his tremendous popular support, he ousted the government and the Council of Five Hundred (the French Congress) and appointed himself First Consul. In 1804, Napoleon dispensed with this worthless title and was “elected” Emperor. He began the Napoleonic Wars, cunningly using the revolutionary fervor to his advantage. For ten years, Napoleon was unbeatable on the battlefield and wielded government power to an extent that France had not seen for one hundred years since the “Sun King” Louis XIV. But at last the allied armies arrived near Paris and forced the dictator into exile on Elba. He escaped, rallied an army and chased Louis XVIII out of France. With his new army, he attacked the British, the Germans, the Prussians, the Belgians, and the Dutch in Belgium. The armies met at Waterloo, and Napoleon was crushed. After the battle, he surrendered and was exiled to the distant island of St. Helena, where he died.

Liberty Day History Display from 2010--pt. 14

The Naval Battles that Ended the Revolutions

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. (Psalm 107:23-25, KJV)

A sea battle ended the American War for Independence. It was the Battle of the Chesapeake, where the French Admiral de Grasse beat a British fleet under Admirals Graves and Hood. The battle was inconclusive, both sides took some casualties, but the French won strategically, which was incidentally one of the few British naval defeats from 1620-1820. They chased the British away and blockaded the Chesapeake Bay. The French Navy kept the Royal Navy from helping Cornwallis at Yorktown, who was now left to fend for himself against the Franco-American army outnumbering him 2 to 1.

The French Revolution ended with a sea battle as well, but indirectly. A rising general, Napoleon Bonaparte, was successfully campaigning in Egypt, winning the Battle of the Pyramids against the British-allied Egyptian Mamluks. He had his fleet stationed off the Nile River. The British Royal Navy led by a new, daring admiral named Horatio Nelson, engaged the French in a moonlight battle. The French flagship L’Orient blew up, and of the remaining 16 ships, 12 were lost, most captured by the British. So how did a French naval disaster and a prestigious British victory end the French Revolution? This battle forced Napoleon out of Egypt. He sailed past the British ships, and arrived in France. When Napoleon set foot on French soil, he promptly kicked the Directory out, and established his own government, culminating in his coronation in 1804.

Liberty Day History Display from 2010--pt. 13

Beginning: Lexington and Concord

The American War for Independence began when the British regulars wanted to search for hidden weapons in the cities of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. The British knew that arms are necessary to keep and defend liberty, and they wanted to seize and destroy them to protect their unlawful abuse of the law.

Paul Revere warned the local “minutemen” in his famous midnight ride, and John Parker rallied the group of them on Lexington Green to oppose this unjust search. Major John Pitcairn of the Royal Marines ordered the colonists to disperse and lay down their arms. They began to move off the battlefield, but kept their muskets. Someone (historians have no clue who he was, nor even to whom he owed allegiance) fired “the shot heard ‘round the world,” and the British regulars opened fire. Eight minutemen were killed with shots in the back, while only one Britisher was wounded.

Beginning: Storming the Bastille

Just as the American War for Independence began with a search for weapons, so did the French Revolution. The Paris mobs were rioting, but they had no arms. It was proposed that the mob storm the Bastille, tear it to pieces, collect the weapons, and free whomever the hated queen Marie-Antoinette had sentenced to imprisonment. Oddly enough, only six prisoners tenanted the Bastille, and none of them were imprisoned for revolutionary ideas (most were in there for forgery). The Bastille was a financial drain on the King, and was about to be closed, but it represented the power of the French crown. Reenforced by treacherous soldiers, the mob agreed and attacked, suffering ninety-six casualties. At last the defenders surrendered to the mob and gave up the Bastille. The soldiers lost their heads when they surrendered, and the Governor was murdered as well while he was escorted to a “trial”.

Liberty Day History Display from 2010--pt. 12

The Faithful Remnant

Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.

And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. (Ezra 9:7-8 KJV)

Just as God preserved a remnant in Israel, so He did in the chaos of the French Revolution. The region of La Vendee revolted when her ministers and bishops were required to be licensed and approved by the state. They were also concerned about being drafted for the Revolutionary army. The Vendeans began an armed counter-revolution against the revolutionaries. Several battles were fought until the Vendean counter-revolution was at last brutally crushed. One Revolutionary general boasted of the slaughter not only of Vendean fighting men, but also of women, children, and those who surrendered. While Vendee was pacified, another group known as the Chouans (Tawny Owls) continued the fight. Though the region was now disarmed, their dauntless spirit had not been quenched. During Napoleon’s last bid at power, known as the “Hundred Days,” Vendeans refused to support him and Napoleon sent an army to fight them while he marched to Waterloo.

For an account of the War in the Vendee see No Surrender! by G. A. Henty.

This badge would be worn by a loyal Vendean, either an officer or a foot-soldier. “Dieu le Roi” translates to “God the King”

Liberty Day History Display from 2010--pt. 11

The Irish Rebellion

The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice. And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them. (2 Samuel 22:14-15, KJV)

The Irish Rebellion broke out in 1798. The Society of United Irishmen began a rebellion designed to oust the British from Ireland forever. The French Revolutionary Government decided to send help to the Irish because both countries hated the English. The French put together a navy and well over 10,000 soldiers and set sail for Ireland in what they termed the Expedition d’Irlande. The expedition was able to anchor near Ireland, but terrible storms prevented it from giving any support or landing any troops. With many ships at the bottom of the sea from storms and a few captured by the British, the remainder of the French fleet returned to France. The Irish Rebellion was crushed by the British at the Battle of Vinegar Hill, and God’s Hand was clearly seen in preserving the British Isles and confounding Revolutionary France.

Liberty Day History Display from 2010--pt. 10

The Glorious First of June

Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.--Psalm 135:6, KJV

The Glorious First of June was a victory for the Royal Navy and a defeat for the French. Admiral Howe was ordered to intercept a valuable grain convoy bound for Paris, while French Admiral Villeret was tasked with defending it. Both sides were searching for the convoy, when the Royal Navy found Villeret’s squadron. With the weather on his side, Lord Howe ordered his fleet straight into the French line. He hoped to break the formation into a confused mass of ships and batter each singly. Unfortunately, a few captains disregarded his orders, throwing the entire plan into jeopardy. Howe nevertheless took the remainder of the fleet and smashed the French line to pieces. His ship alone, the Queen Charlotte, fiercely attacked and badly damaged the French flagship, Montagne, after firing on two other French men-o’-war. The British captains, though taking losses, were successful. Admiral Villeret at last retreated and the British captured several badly-damaged French vessels. The battle was another British naval triumph, but the grain convoy and much of Villeret’s squadron escaped. While God defeated the French, he also showed them mercy by allowing the grain convoy to reach the starving people of Paris.

Liberty Day History Display from 2010--pt. 6

Protestant Reformation: The Foundation of

American War for Independence

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: (Psalm 111:10, KJV)

The Protestant Reformation led by people like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and John Knox provided the theological foundation for the American War for Independence. This foundation was built upon by the leaders of the Great Awakening in the American colonies during the 1730s and 1740s. Based on this solid biblical teaching, the colonists came to the following sound conclusions from Holy Scripture:

• A ruler is not above the Law of God, but must be subject to it
• Obedience to civil government is required when that ruler is acting consistent with the power given to him by God Almighty
• The citizens of a country are responsible for holding their civil government accountable for their actions
• Negotiations between the people and the government is to be employed whenever the political leaders have overstepped their jurisdiction
• Resistance against a civil government is necessary and justified when negotiations have not led to restoring biblical boundaries for that government

Based on these conclusions, the American colonists engaged in carrying out what Patrick Henry referred to as a “holy cause of liberty” by engaging in the American War for Independence. Almighty God saw fit to bless those who were seeking to be obedient to His Holy Word and establish a new nation: The United States of America.

Renaissance: Foundation for the French Revolution

Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (1 Corinthians 1:20, KJV)

The ideas that were supported by the French Revolution have many roots in the Renaissance period of history (which occurred during the 14^th through 17^th centuries). Rather than being a golden age of increase in the refinement of culture, the period of the Renaissance led to the decline of godly virtues. This cultural degeneration occurred by upholding the following humanistic views:

• Promoting philosophical separation between the sacred and the secular rather than viewing every aspect of life as under God’s authority
• Removing God from education
• Favoring human worldly philosophy over biblical Christianity
• Glorifying the individual above God
• Worshiping human achievement

These principles were exemplified in the man-centered philosophy that undergirded the French Revolution, which was characterized by the belief that human effort can establish a utopian state. The Lord God Omnipotent showed His hand in opposition to this worldview by thwarting the cause of the French and giving them the just reward of oppression by ushering in Napoleon as their dictatorial leader.

Napoleon is reported to have seized the crown from the Pope at his coronation and placed it on his own head. A good illustration of “glorifying the individual!”

Liberty Day History Display from 2010--pt. 5

Deism: The Driving Religion of the French Revolution

Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:21, KJV)

The prevailing worldview held by those involved in the French Revolution was that of deism. While deists acknowledge that a supreme being created the universe, they typically reject the existence of miracles and God’s governance in the affairs of men. A deist holds to man’s reason and observation as the highest authority, while failing to acknowledge that it is the God of the Bible who makes that reason and observation possible. This philosophy fits well with the French Revolution of glorifying man and his achievements.

The French people were highly influenced by the principles of deism and the Enlightenment, including the writings of American Thomas Paine. While not being well-liked within the American colonies, the works of Paine were widely accepted among the French. Paine became well known for his book The Age of Reason, which promoted gaining truth apart from God’s divine revelation. We know from Holy Scripture that God opposes the proud (James 4:6). In looking at the French Revolution, we see that man was placing his own ideas above those of the Lord. The result was that this war garnered the opposition of God Almighty. May we not fall into the trap of believing that man’s reason is the supreme court of appeal, but rather let us humbly admit our need for God’s grace to open our eyes to truth.

Liberty Day History Display from 2010--pt. 3

Liberty Day History Display from 2010--pt. 2

Timeline from 1000 A.D. to 2010 featuring the split between the Renaissance and the Reformation.

Liberty Day History Display from 2010

We have attended Liberty Day since 2008. It is an event where we enjoyed great fellowship, and have learned much about God's providence through history.

Last year, we entered their brand new history display contest. We were thrilled and humbled that our display won the contest! We worked together as a family, and we learned so much in the process. Since this year's Liberty Day is only a week away, we are working diligently on a new display.

Our display last year was about The American War for Independence contrasted with The French Revolution. I will post our articles from the display board a few at a time so that you can learn what we discovered about God's hand of providence at this time in history.

The blog photo is of us with our display board.

God bless you as you marvel at God's working through all of time.

The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. (Proverbs 12:7, KJV)