La Revolutionnaire (book)

Background
Half-french and half-english, young, progressive philosopher and political activist Germaine Miller wrote this book in his permanent residence in London after he had to flee the monarchy of France that threatened to arrest and execute him for spreading anti-monarchy and anti-Catholic ideas. After many years of writing, Millet released the book in English and French on July 09, 1784. The book was sold en masse and soon inevitably reached the French coast. The monarchy of France prohibited the purchase or possession of La Revolutionnaire. Breaking this law was punishable by longtime imprisonment or even death.

Content
La Revolutionnaire is divided into six chapters.

Chapter One: The Monarchy
In this chapter, Millet describes and heavily criticises the monarchy of France and monarchy in general. Millet does not leave any pro-monarchy comments at all.

Chapter Two: The Power of the People
In this chapter, Millet elaborates on the potential power of people to bring progress and to rule a state in a democratic way. Millet suggests a revolution by the people and a subsequent, democratic rule.

Chapter Three: Le Robiquet
This chapter, named after French riots of 1704 leading participant Marcel Robiquet deals with the French riots of 1704. The riots are named 'the most progressive movement in France that has ever existed'. Millet further elaborates on improvements to a more successful revolution but praises the French riots of 1704 as a progressive move.

Chapter Four: Progressive economics
In this chapter, Millet talks about progressive thinking in economics. He encourages agricultural economics, worker's rights and higher taxes for the rich in order to reach equality and talks about the, at the time, unbelievably immense wealth gap between the poor and the rich. This directly leads onto the next chapter.

Chapter Five: The Rich and the Poor
In this chapter, Millet tackles the issue of the inequality between the rich and the poor. He explains the inaccessibility of education and further education for lower classes and the unequal power in society which is clearly dominated by the rich.

Chapter Six: The Final Word
In this chapter, Millet summarises and refines the ideas he conveyed throughout the book. Millet calls for a revolution from below, specifically in France and other monarchies.

Significance
La Revolutionnaire became one of the essential pieces of literature that conveyed the ideology of the French Revolution 1789-1799. The ideas of La Revolutionnaire were especially and most closely promoted by Jean-Marie Ménétries.