Katie+Kim+Journal+Entry

First Entry [May 7, 1789]

People these days tend to show their anger towards the government. The changes of unfair laws anger us, the third estate. Today, the first third estate meeting was held in Versailles. Everyone gathered at the meeting,voting weather we should votes should be considered by blocks, or heads.

Many men and women considered this, and decided that voting by heads would give the third estate more fairness. Voting by block, would drop them to the lowest advantage, because they were at the bottom of the 3 estates. But, voting by heads, wouldn't matter what estate you belonged in, only how many people voted for it.

During the meeting, I met my old friend Claire Leroy, a merchant who had more wealth than normal women had. We had a conversation about how the cost of the imported goods were increased by the government. I told her that with my wealth, I wouldn't be able to purchase much, and asked her for discount. She said finally said yes after I begged her, and I bought imported grain nearly half the price.

After talking to many other people, I met another woman, Jacqueline-Adelle Cartier. She was a peasant, with not so much wealth. She was very memorable because I personally liked her, She discussed the problems in her opinion strongly, but never complained of her wealth and placement. She spoke clearly and loudly, that expressed her feelings, and opinions towards the meeting.

As time went on, we soon basically agreed that we wanted voting by heads. After the meeting, some people recommended we should write a new constitution for France, because we are the majority of the population in France, and the laws weren't so fair. When the idea of writing a new constitution was brought up, many people agreed, but some feared. They feared that if we dared to go against the king, we might get executed. I personally thought we should write a new constitution for France, because I don't think it's fair that we have to pay for the money the king wasted on. He should pay for his own debt, and lower the cost of the goods like before, so more people can afford it.

If we had a choice to go against the king, and fight for our own rights, or follow the king, and his laws, I would go against the king. I am not afraid of death, if it is for the rights of our people, and children.

-Véronique Bonnet

Second Entry [April 17, 1792]

This is just a basic summary, of the day the constitution was finally written. The morning of September 26, 1791, I went to Café France-Pucci with my brother Inés. We had a cup of hot coffe, with hot bagel. After 30 minutes of talking, we came out of the coffe shop. Still talking about the the new constitution, that was finished few days ago, we bumped into Chloé Vigée, a famous woman known for her wealth. We apologized and waited for her to go by. Unexpectedly, she started to question us about whether our conversation about the new constitution was true or not. We told her that the new constitution was finished few days ago, and that we were happy for this event. Then, with a frown, she asked for my name. After I answered by her questions, she slowly walked away, mumbling to herself how ridiculous this new constitution is. I hoped I would never meet her again. That afternoon, walking down the streets, I could hear people chattering about the new constitution, and how happy they were that we finally got our own rights. Next to the people cheering joyfully, there are few people frowning of this event. Most of these people come from the higher class than I do. They wear fancier clothes, and dislikes the idea of the new constitution.

During the few days, changes were made in France. People cheered, nobles stared. I personally thought that France was finally becoming a fair country. Not very later, we saw the Austrian, and the Prussian army march into the town. They were heading toward the castle I think. People were out of their stores, staring and talking about what was happening. We waited until they came out, but nothing was heard. Then suddenly out of nowhere, we saw Prussian soldiers running out of the castle, followed by the French soldiers. They were stabbing and chasing each other, as people watched in their stores. A bit of fear came to me, so I went in the shop I was infront of. I could see more and more soldiers coming out, killing each other. All the workers and customers in the shop did not dare to leave the store. They were all afraid they would get killed by the soldiers. Around 8:00 PM, there were no sight of soldiers in town, so few people stepped out of the shops. I saw that the small war was over, and returned home.

Yesterday morning, like usual, I went to Café France-Pucci alone, drinking a cup of coffe. The town was quiet and sunny, but suddenly there was a scream. I looked outside the window, and I could see a big army marching in town, destroying and killing everything. I panicked, and decided to hide somewhere safe. I ran to the back emergency door of the cafe, and ran to the next building across, then the next. Finally I stopped and took a big breath. Did I make a bad mistake, running away alone? I didn't have much time to think about it. I stayed at a hotel near by, for a day. I realized I was in the small town next to my house.

Today, after I woke up, I headed back to my house. When I arrived there, it was chaotic. Families were crying because their house broke down, or some people cried because their husband/or wife got killed. I ran in the house to make sure my brother Inés was safe. He was playing with his toys in his room. I was so thankful that my family wasn't hurt. I turned on the radio, and I heard that the war was still currently going on in different place in France.

-Véronique Bonnet

Third Entry [December 3, 1804]

It has been about 6 years since I last wrote? Time goes so fast. After the war, I had a trip to another town, but there were so much to draw and write about that almost 6 years passed. In the small town, I met Ansel Cartier, a wealthy and high classed man. I saw him holding his grandmother’s hands, telling her to stay safe. When he saw that I was watching, he came up to me and asked for my name. I answered back telling him my name was Véronique Bonnet. Then he replied, “Miss Véronique, may you please look after my mother for me when I’m away. She can do most of the things on her own, but she might need care. It would be very kind of you.” and left the town.

I came back to my house yesterday night. The town there is 8 hours from my house, but it was manageable. So many things happened here while I was gone. I heard about this new hero named Napoleon, who lead the French army. But, in the last few years, the Directory lost it's control of the political issues in France. But that's not the best part. I heard that Napoleon drove out most of the people in national legislature. Not long after that, people decided to dismiss the Directory, and create 3 more powerful forces instead. One of them, was Napoleon, he was one of the three consuls. Thanks to him, for the first time in ten years, all three nations signed peace agreement in France.

Finally, in 1800, Napoleon held all real powers. People cheered to joy, because Napoleon united the nations, and helped the people in France. But suddenly, unexpectedly, Napoleon created a government-run school, to raise money for his spent. Some people liked Napoleon very much because he allowed the churched to take place in France again. They did not have power in possession of course, because Napoleon held all. All this was nothing compared to what I’ve seen and heard when we were gone. I heard that Napoleonic Code was written. It took away our freedom of speech, and press, etc. Individual rights were taken away as well.

Although the revolution was a long, and hard time, I learned many things because of it, and met more people. Because the revolution existed, I got to meet more higher class men/ and women. Because this revolution happened, we the people got our own rights. Many chnages were made in France. Many things improved, and many things got worse. As I writer, I had so many stories to write, as a artist, I had so many perspectives I can draw. I even published a short story, "Revolution the Power." Thanks to this revolution, many things improved in my life, and I thank all men, and women who fought with me.

-Véronique Bonnet