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Strasbourg in France
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The 17th century in Strasbourg, as throughout the Holy Roman Empire, was marked by the Thirty Years War. This religious war opposed the Protestant German princes against the Catholic Empire souvereigns, the Habsburgs. The war began in 1618 and ended in 1648 with the Treaty of Westphalia. Under the impetus of Cardinal Richelieu, France fought the Imperials of the Holy Roman Empire and particularly the Spanish (in the city of Rocroi in 1643). The German Empire had been weakened and broken up in order to benefit the princes. The population lost several million people. Although less damaged than some of the other important cities of the Holy Roman Empire, Strasbourg was shook by a severe economic crisis that would lead to its weakening and eventually prepare the city for its incorporation into the Kingdom of France.
Throughout the last quarter of the 17th century, the King of France, Louis XIV, patiently pursued his work towards the "Reunion" of Higher and Lower Alsace to the crown. He had only to take under his protection Strasbourg which represented a genuine bastion on the Rhine. Although this bastion was certainly well armed it was also isolated. Thirty thousand of the King's soldiers converged at Strasbourg and attacked on the 27th of September 1681. The city was placed under the protection of Louis XIV and ordered to welcome his royal garrison. Under this surrender to a triumphant Marquis de Louvois the following famous message was sent to Louis XIV: "Sire, Strasbourg is yours." The city ended its term as a free city of the Empire in order to become a capital of the French province of Alsace.
The 18th century for Strasbourg was one of "transition" in many ways: from the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment, from a Germanic sensitivity to a French flavor, from a free city to a royal city. Every sector would be profoundly changed, particularly on religious and economic levels. The Revolution would cause at the end of the century even more violent changes.
Strasbourg was improved aesthetically during the 18th century. A combination of conditions would be put in place for this to happen: the Kingdom of France would manage to guarantee an era of peace which lasted several decades, there was a period of wealth which had been thusfar unknown, the French creativity teamed up with the local know-how created marvels, Strasbourg's situation at a crossroads invited a wide range of creators and trends which were often complimentary.
1789 surprised Strasbourg without too much shock. The minds of the people were prepared for, if not already strongly in favor of, the changes. While the Bastille was being overtaken on July 18th, a crowd gathered on what is today's Place Kléber to simply cry out "Long live the King!" They then went home. Things really started heating up on July 20th on what is today's Place Gutenberg. The town hall was ransacked. Strasbourg, the royal free city, would become just another county town in the department. The man who would emerge from this troubled period was a reformist who was opposed to the conservative trends. Frédéric de Dietrich was elected mayor of Strasbourg.
At the same time the Catholic nobles, with the Cardinal of Rohan at the head, were ferosciously opposed to the Revolution that would reduce their priviledges, the priests and the grass root militants would be favorable. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy in 1790, forced the priests to swear their allegience to the State. The mayor was kept very busy, particularly calming the Catholic women who were not at all happy with the fact that their bishops were to be elected by the all citizens which among them included Jews, Protestants and non-believers.
The mayor Dietrich was very adroit in governing and avoiding any stumbling blocks that he encountered. He would be appointed commisioner to the organization of the Bas-Rhin Department. His noteriety would continue to grow, particularly when a young officer from his department named Rouget de L'Isle created "The War Song of the Rhine Army" which would be adopted by the Marseillais revolutionaries and turned into "La Marseillaise". However, during this very same year, 1792, that gave birth to the eventual French National Anthem, the Jacobins unleashed their anger against Dietrich who was wrongly accused of delivering the city to the enemy. The Reign of Terror would rage over Strasbourg for two years, bringing great misery.
As Strasbourg was so close to Germany, the Revolution had to deal with the very difficult combat of exterior enemies. In response, the Revolution sent two very pure and hard representatives named Saint-Just and Lebas who gave the city a tough time. Under their impetus the army was galvanized into action. Hoche beat the Austrians at Froeshwiller and at Geisberg. In 1794, Alsace was totally freed of its invaders. However, poor harvests, the depreciation of bank notes and the black market created a serious crisis for which de Dietrich would pay dearly. He was condemned to death and guillotined in Paris on the 29th of December 1793.
Not knowing who to devour next, the Revolution destroyed its own offspring. The execution of Robespierre was celebrated in Strasbourg with a general elation. There was a sigh of relief in the overcrowded prisons. De Dietrich's partisans returned and with them a sense of calm.
At the end of the Reign of Terror, under the Directory Period, Strasbourg was in a very poor state. The Revolution had caused great destruction, literally as well as figuratively. Although the Strasbourgeois had been originally lively with great hope, they could not overlook the damages: an economy at its knees, pillages, the defacement of monuments, churches used as pigpens...
The Cathedral was returned to the Catholic religion. The enormous red bonnet, symbol of the Revolution, which had covered the spire was removed. Thanks to this astucious covering the spire had been protected from the Jacobin's desire to destroy it.
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