# What is the motto of France? - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/what-is-the-motto-of-france/ - Published: 2023-11-12 - Author: Nelson Ayers - Categories: [Basic knowledge & Meaning](https://33rdsquare.com/category/games/meaning/) --- Hey there! As a tech geek and data analyst who‘s passionate about streaming, gaming, and all things digital, I couldn‘t resist diving into the history and meaning behind France‘s iconic national motto "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité." Stick with me, and we‘ll explore the origins, evolution, and enduring global influence of this revolutionary slogan. ## The Pre-Revolution Roots of "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité" While the motto may seem intrinsically tied to the French Revolution, its central tenets – liberty, equality, and fraternity – took root in France‘s Age of Enlightenment. Philosophes like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Diderot challenged absolutism and divine right. They advocated reason, science, and individual liberties. Rousseau‘s 1762 work _The Social Contract_ proclaimed "Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains." Pretty bold for the time! These influential ideas shifted France‘s political landscape. By 1789, growing discontent against the monarchy converged with demands for reform. So when Revolution erupted, calls for liberty, equality, and unity between citizens powered its rallying cries. ## The Motto‘s Evolution Across French Republics Now let‘s fast forward through how "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité" stood the test of time. **First Republic (1792-1804)** – Revolutionaries made the motto a central slogan, seen on documents, banners, and proclamations. Liberty trees were even planted as symbols! **Second Republic (1848-1852)** – The motto was engraved on the new republic‘s coat of arms. But instability led to the Second Empire under Napoleon III. **Second Empire (1852-1870)** – Usage of the motto declined under the authoritarian rule of Napoleon III. But calls for political reform brought it back into public discourse. **Third Republic (1870-1940)** – The motto became firmly entrenched in this longest-lasting French republic to date. It appeared on currency, in schools, on postage stamps. **Fourth Republic (1946-1958)** – Despite association with the Vichy Regime, the motto was reaffirmed and appeared on the constitution drafted after WWII. **Fifth Republic (1958-Present)** – The current French constitution reinforces "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité" as a central national motto. So while often challenged or disregarded by various regimes and rulers, the motto demonstrated incredible staying power in the hearts and minds of the French people. No matter what, it remained an aspirational representation of their nation‘s democratic ideals. ## The Cultural Values and Identity Behind the Motto So what core values and national identity does "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité" embody for the French people? **Liberté** – This champions individual freedoms and rights like free speech, press, religion, and assembly. The French hold these tenets dear as fundamental liberties. **Égalité** – Equality before the law regardless of origins or status. This reflects the French aim to construct an equitable society not based on religion or aristocracy. **Fraternité** – The sense of common brotherhood amongst citizens united within a French Republic. This promotes national unity and anti-division. You can see how these three values counter the societal divisions of pre-Revolution France under monarchy and religious authority. Scholars even credit the motto as a pillar of France‘s civic national identity – more inclusive than just ethnic nationalism. The motto‘s universalism is also seen in France‘s official national symbol – Marianne. She represents liberty and the Republic‘s core values, not any specific race, ancestry, or religion. ## The Global Legacy and Influence of "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité" Given these connotations, it makes sense that France‘s motto inspired reformers and revolutionaries fighting oppression worldwide. The French Revolution resonated across Europe and the Americas. Tropes of liberty trees and liberty poles popped up in visual culture. The US Declaration of Independence borrows the famous slogan "liberté, égalité, fraternité": > All men are created equal. Haiti even adopted the full motto itself in 1804 during the Haitian Revolution, the only nation other than France to make it their official national motto to this day. In the 19th century, the motto took hold more broadly as both liberal and socialist movements integrated its calls for liberty and equality. France became a haven for progressive exiles like Karl Marx and Victor Hugo. You still see the influence today in constitutions with commitments to free speech, equal rights, non-discrimination and more. The ideals live on globally as both aspiration and international law. So next time you hear "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité", remember its revolutionary roots and hard-won prominence as a guiding vision of democracy, popularized by France but shared worldwide. Now that‘s something to say "vive la France!" to! Let me know if you want to learn more about this fascinating piece of history. --- Source: [What is the motto of France?](https://33rdsquare.com/what-is-the-motto-of-france/)