“Radicals have planned them and protagonists have nearly always tried to steer them, but real revolutions nonetheless involve a considerable element of surprise.” Rebecca Spang introduces the new Virtual Special Issue of HWJ, on revolutions.
Author: Rebecca Spang
Radical Object: Billets de Confiance
What can history tell us about the politics of monetary innovations like cryptocurrencies? Rebecca Spang looks back to the era of the French Revolution to explore “billets de confidence” – local, decentralised bills of exchange.
Episode 8: The Money of the Poor
In this episode of the History Workshop podcast, Rebecca Spang looks back to the era of the French Revolution to explore the power dynamics of decentralized currencies.
Archives Against the Museum
Could it happen anywhere other than France? Two weeks ago, the staff of the National Archives staged a two-day strike to protest the announced construction of a “Maison de l’Histoire”–in effect, a national history museum–on the site currently(and historically) occupied by the Archives. While the AN reading rooms are now open again, various series have been “exceptionally closed” due to personnel shortages and it seems likely this may go on for some months, if not years, to come.
