The Parisian Porters' Revolt of January 1786
Published In
Journal for Eighteenth-Century Studies
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2015
Subjects
French Revolution
Abstract
This paper gives a full picture of the moral universe pressuring all sides in the strike by porters in Paris during January 1786. These Parisian day-labourers found their livelihood taken away by a new system of parcel delivery, part of a many-sided endeavour to rationalise the economy. They rioted and were the first rioting mob to appeal to the king at Versailles. This paper looks at the riot from the points of view of the rioters and their neighbours, the police, the investors in the new parcel post scheme and the advancing American trade.
Locate the Document
DOI
10.1111/1754-0208.12337
Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/32460
Citation Details
Gilbert, B. ( 2016) The Parisian Porters' Revolt of January 1786. Journal for Eighteenth‐Century Studies, 39: 359– 375.